Follow-Up: Rhode Island Releases Model Policy for License Plate Readers: 30-Day Data Deletion, Pause on New Installations Continues
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee's administration on October 19 released a statewide model policy and a template data-sharing memorandum of understanding (MOU) to guide the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by local law enforcement agencies, and announced that the state will maintain its pause on new ALPR installations while legislation is drafted to codify statewide safeguards. GSM reported on October 17 that the State Police proposal was due to reach the governor on Monday; the release marks the formal outcome of that review.
The model policy was created by the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) in consultation with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, and the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission, and drew on existing municipal policies in Rhode Island and on policies and legislation from other states. Its standards include prohibiting use of the technology for immigration enforcement, investigations involving reproductive or gender-affirming health care, harassment, discrimination, or conduct that is not a crime under Rhode Island law; requiring ALPR data to be deleted within 30 days unless preserved for valid law enforcement purposes; requiring police departments to maintain a public transparency portal covering the number of operational cameras, data retention, agencies with access, and system usage; quarterly audits, training for authorized users, and documentation of searches; restrictions on sharing data with outside agencies backed by formal agreements; and administrative sanctions up to termination, civil liability, and criminal prosecution for violations. The policy will be reviewed annually.
Governor McKee said license plate readers can be a valuable tool for law enforcement but must be used responsibly with privacy protected, which is why he called for the pause and review in August and is now extending the pause while stronger safeguards are put into state law. RISP Superintendent Colonel Darnell S. Weaver said the model policy establishes clear, consistent standards for how the technology is used, how information is accessed and shared, and how agencies are held accountable. The administration is urging municipalities that currently use ALPR technology to adopt the model policy and the MOU template.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 罗得岛州议会大厦内的众议院议事厅，州政府在此发布全州车牌识别示范政策。照片：Kenneth C. Zirkel 摄，CC BY 4.0，经维基共享资源／The House chamber inside the Rhode Island State House in Providence. Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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