A Sacramento County grand jury investigation has found that the Sheriff’s Office has been violating California law in its handling and oversight of data collected by license plate readers. The conclusions of the seven-month review, released recently, have raised concerns about the potential misuse of this data by law enforcement agencies.
License plate readers are considered a powerful tool by law enforcement officers in solving crimes. These cameras not only scan license plates but also help identify the type of vehicle in question, aiding in the quick identification of suspects. However, the issue arises in how the data collected by these scanners is shared among different agencies.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the data collected by license plate readers could be used beyond California’s borders to track individuals seeking services like abortion or gender-affirming care. In response to these concerns, state lawmakers passed a bill in 2015 restricting police departments from sharing this information with federal or out-of-state agencies.
Despite this legislation, a state audit in 2020 revealed that the Sheriff’s Office had shared images captured by its cameras with over a thousand entities across the country. The audit also highlighted the lack of transparency in how the agency determined which out-of-state departments had a legitimate need for accessing this information.
The grand jury report also implicated the Sacramento Police Department in violating state law regarding the sharing of license plate reader data. The department has since updated its policy to cease sharing information with out-of-state agencies, in compliance with state regulations.
In response to the grand jury’s findings, the Sheriff’s Office has stated that it will no longer share data with departments outside of California. The agency is currently reviewing the report and plans to comment on its findings in the near future.
The grand jury also reviewed the policies of other local police departments, including Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, and Folsom. These departments were found to be in compliance with state law regarding data sharing but were advised to make their policies more easily accessible to the public on their websites.
The grand jury’s report, titled “Keep Your Eyes Off My Privacy!”, includes five recommendations for law enforcement agencies, such as making license plate reader policies more visible to the public and conducting regular internal audits. These recommendations aim to ensure that the use of license plate readers is conducted in a manner that respects individuals’ privacy rights.
Overall, the findings of the grand jury investigation highlight the importance of proper oversight and transparency in the use of technology by law enforcement agencies. By adhering to state laws and implementing recommended changes, agencies can better protect the privacy rights of individuals while still utilizing license plate readers as a valuable tool in solving crimes.