Georgia reviews ALPR oversight amid police misuse concerns

Drivers in Georgia may soon see more consistent rules governing how law enforcement uses automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Public concern over police use of these cameras, data access, and accountability for misuse is prompting discussions at both local and state levels.

Decaturish reported that Avondale Estates recently faced resident questions regarding its use of ALPRs and participation in data-sharing networks. This local scrutiny reflects a broader push for clearer regulations on surveillance technology.

What are the current rules for ALPRs in Georgia?

Georgia state law, Section 35-1-22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, outlines some basic requirements for ALPR use:

• Agencies must have policies for ALPR use and officer training.
• Data access is restricted to law enforcement purposes.
• Sharing data with other agencies is allowed for law enforcement purposes.
• Knowingly obtaining ALPR data under false pretenses is a crime.
• Data must be destroyed within 30 months unless kept for an authorized purpose.
• Captured license plate data is exempt from public records requests.

However, the law does not specify how often departments must audit searches, who can access data within a department, or require independent review. This means significant gaps in oversight are left to individual agencies.

Christopher Bruce, deputy executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, stated that current Georgia law does not provide enough transparency or accountability for how ALPRs are used.

How are local departments handling oversight?

Approaches to ALPR oversight vary across Georgia. In Avondale Estates, the police department has implemented its own measures:

• Weekly internal audits of ALPR searches.
• Restricted search privileges: only four patrol sergeants and two detectives can search within Georgia.
• Every search needs a case or computer-aided dispatch number and an identified offense.
• Data is retained for 30 days, far less than the state's 30-month maximum.
• The Chief and Deputy Chief do not have search privileges, allowing them to audit officers.
• The Chief can audit and revoke access for the roughly 300 outside agencies that can access Avondale's data.

In DeKalb County, internal audits recently uncovered policy violations. Between January 1 and July 24, police conducted 53,276 ALPR searches. The department's bi-weekly audits identified:

• Five employees who searched for vehicles without a legitimate law enforcement purpose.
• Three employees who had legitimate reasons but failed to follow procedures or complete documentation.

DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said the department is strengthening its policy. DeKalb County Commissioner Ted Terry has also proposed a resolution for independent civilian oversight of the county's broader surveillance network. This resolution would add an external layer of review for system use, data sharing, and privacy safeguards.

Drivers should know that the specific rules for how ALPR data is managed and overseen can differ significantly depending on the jurisdiction. To learn more about how these systems work and where they are located, check out our /learn section or our interactive /map.

Looking ahead, State Sen. John Albers, chairman of the state Senate Public Safety Committee, announced a task force to examine ALPR policies. This group, including the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, will look at consistent audits and tighter access controls. Recommendations are expected before the 2027 legislative session, potentially leading to more uniform statewide standards for ALPR use and oversight.