Flock Safety

Automatic License Plate Readers

Automatic License Plate Readers are a vital tool used in many aspects of public safety, such as assisting investigations of violent crime, stolen vehicles, hit and run investigations, Amber alerts and other incidents of missing persons.

There are 99 fixed Flock ALPRs in use throughout Richmond. RPD also has a small number (currently two, soon to be four) of mobile ALPR devices attached to trailers that are intermittently deployed for traffic-related issues and to locations with heightened crime concerns. These devices capture data on vehicles driving on public roadways. The information is available to law enforcement for 21 days for specific queries into an investigation, after which the data is automatically purged from the system.

Virginia law makes unauthorized use of automatic license plate readers a class 1 misdemeanor criminal offense. All Richmond Police Department investigators with access to license plate readers strictly adhere to the authorized uses for queries which consist of those articulated in state law (Section 2.2-5517). ALPR data is not shared with federal agencies or law enforcement agencies outside the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This technology has assisted RPD to swiftly identify, locate, and apprehend suspects in violent crime investigations since the inception of the program.

“Automatic License Plate Readers have proven instrumental in helping investigators quickly identify and apprehend violent offenders,” said RPD Chief Rick Edwards. “With strong privacy safeguards and strict limits on use, this technology enhances our ability to protect the public and keep Richmond safe.”

Regarding the Virginia State Crime Commission’s ALPR Survey

Richmond Police Department Response Regarding the Virginia State Crime Commission’s ALPR Survey

The Richmond Police Department participated in the Virginia State Crime Commission’s survey regarding the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth. RPD submitted its response in November 2025. The Commission published its findings in January 2026.

RPD’s survey responses are consistent with the Department’s established ALPR policies and practices:

• ALPR data is purged after 21 days.

• ALPR data is not shared with agencies outside the Commonwealth of Virginia, including federal agencies.

RPD utilizes Flock Safety as its ALPR vendor. While RPD is aware of multiple ALPR vendors operating in the Commonwealth, it does not have knowledge of which vendors are used by other Virginia law enforcement agencies.

Flock Safety has implemented system-wide adjustments to ensure that all Virginia law enforcement agencies using its platform retain ALPR data for no more than 21 days, in compliance with Virginia law. Additionally, Flock’s sharing feature is configured to permit data sharing only among Virginia law enforcement agency users.

The Commission’s report also indicates that responses from an unspecified number of agencies suggest data retention beyond 21 days. RPD’s policy is clearly aligned with Virginia law. It is also important to recognize that Virginia law permits ALPR data to be retained longer than 21 days if it has been downloaded for use in a specific, ongoing criminal investigation. It is possible that some responses may not have fully reflected this distinction.

Should RPD become aware that a Virginia law enforcement agency is not complying with state law regarding ALPR use or is sharing data in a manner inconsistent with Virginia law governing Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) use effective July 1, 2025 (HB 2724), RPD will cease sharing ALPR data with that agency for investigative purposes.

RPD believes that the narrow and focused use of ALPR technology is an important public safety tool. ALPRs assist in investigations involving violent crime, stolen vehicles, hit-and-run incidents, AMBER Alerts, and missing persons cases.

RPD recognizes the importance of maintaining an appropriate balance between public safety and individual privacy.

“Automatic License Plate Readers have proven instrumental in helping investigators quickly identify and apprehend violent offenders,” said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards. “With strong privacy safeguards and strict limits on use, this technology enhances our ability to protect the public and keep Richmond safe.”

Quarterly Audit Reports

First Quarter 2026

Routine ALPR Audit Identifies Single Policy Violation

A routine review of the Richmond Police Department’s 2026 use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology identified a policy violation involving an authorized RPD user.

The Richmond Police Department conducts monthly audits of Flock ALPR use by personnel. An audit in the first quarter of the year found a single violation involving an RPD sergeant while assisting a homicide investigation. The inquiry was not related to immigration enforcement.

The violation occurred when an RPD sergeant was asked by a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an image of a vehicle believed to be in Richmond and connected to a homicide investigation in Washington, D.C.

“The audit process is an important safeguard to ensure this technology is used properly,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “ALPR technology has proven valuable in violent crime investigations, but these checks are necessary to maintain the proper balance between individual privacy, public safety, and compliance with Virginia law.”

The searching for and dissemination of this information to a federal law enforcement official outside of Virginia violated department policy, which prohibits sharing ALPR data with agencies outside the Commonwealth. The violation was reported to the Virginia State Police as required by state law.

“While I appreciate the sergeant’s willingness to assist in a homicide investigation, sharing ALPR data - even of a single vehicle - with federal partners or agencies outside the Commonwealth of Virginia is prohibited,” Chief Edwards added.

Following an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney was consulted; based on the facts of the case, prosecution was declined. Afterwards, an internal investigation was conducted by RPD’s Office of Professional Standards. The sergeant’s authorization to access ALPR data has been deactivated.

Should there be any compliance issues in the future, RPD will disseminate that information at our regularly scheduled quarterly crime briefings to ensure transparency with our community.

Gunshot Detection System

Chief Rick Edwards, the Richmond Police Department, and the city of Richmond now use Gunshot Detection technology from the vendor, Flock Safety in the interests of advancing public safety.

Please see the following slides from several public briefings given by Chief Edwards regarding gunshot detection technology.

                                                                 Click the image to review Weekly Crime Statistics

                                                                      Click the image to review Weekly Crime Statistics