Why does QCPD use ALPR Technology?

ALPR technology gives officers another investigative tool when time matters. A vehicle can leave a scene in seconds and a license plate or vehicle description may be one of the pieces of information available to investigators. 

ALPR technology can help officers develop investigative leads, locate stolen vehicles and missing persons, and identify vehicles that may be associated with criminal activity. 

ALPR Technology can help QCPD:

• Locate stolen vehicles
• Assist in locating missing or endangered persons 
• Generate investigative leads
• Identify vehicles associated with serious crimes
• Support criminal investigations

What is ALPR?

ALPR stands for Automated License Plate Recognition/Reader. ALPR captures images of vehicle license plates and the vehicle's visible characteristics, such as the make, model and color. The system can compare license plate information against authorized law enforcement databases and provide potential investigative leads to officers. 

What ALPR is Not

ALPR DOES NOT

• Use facial recognition
• Use biometric identification
• Identify drivers or passengers
• Install a tracking device on a vehicle
• Provide continuous GPS or tracking information
• Independently establish that a person committed a crime
• Issue automated traffic citations
• Record conversations or audio
• Provide officers with access to personal information like name or address 

ALPR Search 

Every search must have a documented, authorized law enforcement purpose.

ALPR cameras capture license plates that are visible to the public. A plate being captured does not mean the driver or vehicle is suspected of a crime. 

ALPR information becomes an investigative tool when officers have a legitimate law enforcement reason to search the system, such as an investigation involving a stolen vehicle, missing person, or criminal offense. 

Frequently Asked Questions

QCPD has not identified any instances of ALPR technology being misused. QCPD uses ALPR strictly for legitimate law-enforcement purposes and adheres to appropriate safeguards, oversight, and accountability. 

As part of the Town’s proactive commitment to strong local governance, privacy, accountability and community trust, we are evaluating a three-pronged approach to further strengthen these protections. The options include potential policy changes to further restrict access and data sharing; potential Town Code changes that would make misuse of ALPR technology a misdemeanor; and an evaluation of available technologies and potential contract changes. The goal is to preserve the operational value of ALPR while ensuring its continued responsible use.

 These proposed enhancements were not prompted by any misuse of the ALPR system.

• Only trained and authorized QCPD personnel may access the ALPR system.
• Each user must access the system through an individually assigned account. Shared or anonymous access is not permitted.
• Every search must have a documented and legitimate law-enforcement purpose. The search must be associated with a case number, event or identification number, or another specific public safety or law-enforcement purpose.
• Each search creates an audit record identifying:
  • The user who conducted the search
  • The date and time of the search
  • The stated reason for the search
• Supervisors and authorized personnel may review system activity to confirm compliance with Department policy, directives, and procedures.

• QCPD controls whether its ALPR data is shared and which agencies may receive access.
• QCPD does not approve or initiate ALPR data sharing with federal agencies.
• QCPD does not permit ALPR use for immigration enforcement.
• QCPD does not share its ALPR data with agencies outside Arizona.
• Any authorized sharing within Arizona must involve an authorized and verified law-enforcement agency and must be connected to a documented and legitimate law-enforcement purpose. Sharing is subject to QCPD controls and command-level oversight.*

*Note: On September 2, 2026, QCPD will be bringing a three-pronged proposal to Council that would further strengthen QCPD’s existing safeguards and oversight. This includes potential policy changes to further restrict access and data sharing.

Courts have long recognized that a vehicle and its license plate traveling on a public roadway are exposed to public view and observing that information does not by itself violate the Fourth Amendment. The Supreme Court has distinguished this type of public observation from technologies that create continuous, detailed, or long-term records of a person’s movements.

QCPD’s ALPR program is structured around that distinction. The system records individual vehicle observations at specific locations and times. It does not place a tracking device on a vehicle, provide continuous GPS information, identify drivers or passengers, or use facial recognition or biometric identification. During a legitimate and documented investigation, authorized personnel may review multiple observations to determine direction of travel or develop an investigative lead.

QCPD limits retention, restricts access, requires a documented law-enforcement purpose for searches, logs user activity, and prohibits generalized monitoring. The key distinction is that ALPR is used to identify where a vehicle was observed at particular points in time, not to continuously monitor a person’s movements.

Supreme Court decisions involving GPS and historical location data demonstrate that constitutional concerns increase when technology is used to create comprehensive or persistent records of an individual’s movements. 

Drones provide aerial perspectives that can improve officer safety, increase situational awareness, and help officers assess incidents more effectively.  

Common uses:

• Searching for missing persons
• Monitoring large public events
• Documenting traffic collisions
• Supporting search and rescue opertatoins
• Providing overwatch during critical incidents

Link to UAS dashboard 

The Drone as a First Responder program allows drones to be dispatched to certain calls before officers arrive. In many situations, DFR provides officers with critical information before arrival, allowing resources to be deployed more efficiently and safely. 

DRF can:

• Provide real-time information to responding officers
• Assist in determining the nature of an incident
• Improve tactical and operational decision making
• Identify hazards before officers arrive
• Assist in locating suspects or victims 

Link to UAS dashboard 

LVT cameras provide mobile video capabilities that can be strategically deployed to address public safety concerns. 

Common uses:

• During special events
• In response to crime treands
• Protect critical infratructure
• Supporting ongoing investigations
• In an area that may be experiencing public safety concersn

Felony Shoplifting / Organized Retail Theft

A local retailer called 911 to report a shoplifting incident in progress. Store personnel described the suspect vehicle as an older-model black truck with a partially detached license plate. Using the information provided, RTIC reviewed ALPR observations and intersection/traffic-camera footage and developed a lead on a vehicle matching the description. Patrol officers independently located and contacted the vehicle. Following their investigation, the driver was arrested, and merchandise reported stolen from multiple stores was recovered and identified. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Road-Rage Incident Involving a Reported Firearm

QCPD responded to a road-rage incident involving a reported firearm. The victim provided the suspect vehicle’s license plate. RTIC reviewed a recent ALPR observation of the vehicle near the Marketplace and relayed the vehicle-related lead to responding officers. Officers located and contacted the vehicle and its occupants. During the subsequent investigation, officers found a lighter designed to resemble a firearm, and a passenger stated that the driver had brandished it at another vehicle. The driver was taken into custody.

Road-Rage Incident Involving a Firearm

A Live911 caller reported that the driver of another vehicle pointed a firearm at them during a traffic-related incident. The victim provided the suspect vehicle’s license plate. RTIC reviewed ALPR observations and provided responding officers with a recent vehicle-location lead. Patrol officers subsequently located and contacted the vehicle. Following their investigation, the driver was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon and disorderly conduct. Participating units: Patrol, RTIC, and DFR.

Vehicle Burglary / Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card

QCPD investigated a vehicle burglary at a local retailer/entertainment venue. Surveillance video from a nearby business provided a description of the suspect vehicle but did not capture its license plate. As part of the documented investigation, RTIC reviewed ALPR observations using the visible vehicle characteristics and developed a possible matching-vehicle lead. The vehicle was then added to a case-specific ALPR alert list. The following day, an ALPR alert recorded the vehicle at a specific location and time and provided its likely direction of travel. SAU, Patrol, RTIC, and DFR responded to the area, where officers located the vehicle and observed the suspect committing another vehicle burglary. The suspect was arrested for third-degree burglary and fraudulent use of a credit card. Participating units: Patrol, RTIC, CIU, SAU, and DFR.

Reported Shots Fired / Vehicle Backfire Identified

Patrol and RTIC developed a lead involving a black truck believed to be connected to two separate reports of shots fired. One of the calls prompted a lockdown at a local high school. An ALPR inquiry produced a possible vehicle-related lead, which Patrol pursued through additional investigative follow-up. Officers contacted the registered owner and determined that the vehicle—not a weapon—was the source of the reported loud popping noises. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

DUI Arrest

A 911 caller reported a suspected impaired driver leaving an establishment and provided a vehicle description and license plate; however, the vehicle’s direction of travel was unknown. RTIC reviewed a recent ALPR observation showing that the vehicle had passed a fixed camera at a specific location and time. Based on the camera’s location and orientation, RTIC personnel inferred the vehicle’s apparent direction of travel at the time of the observation and provided officers with an area to check (ALPR does not continuously track a vehicle). Patrol officers independently located the truck. An officer personally observed several traffic violations, stopped the vehicle, and conducted a DUI investigation. The driver was subsequently arrested for DUI. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Road-Rage Incident Involving a Firearm

QCPD investigated a road-rage incident involving a reported firearm after the victim provided the suspect vehicle’s license plate. RTIC reviewed ALPR observations and intersection/traffic-camera footage and developed a recent vehicle-location lead for Patrol. Officers subsequently located the vehicle and conducted a high-risk stop. Following the investigation, the passenger was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a Class 2 felony, and disorderly conduct with a weapon, a Class 6 felony. The driver was also investigated for DUI, with charges pending laboratory results. Participating units: Patrol, RTIC, and DFR.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery / Warrant Arrest

RTIC received an ALPR alert recording a vehicle listed in NCIC as stolen from Texas entering Queen Creek. RTIC notified patrol officers while Dispatch independently confirmed the vehicle’s stolen status with Texas authorities. RTIC later relayed an additional vehicle-location lead indicating that the vehicle had entered a shopping-center parking lot. Officers located the occupied vehicle, recovered it, and arrested the driver on an outstanding warrant. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Burglary / Trespass / Criminal Damage

A homebuilder reported that unknown individuals had entered two unoccupied, newly constructed homes and caused more than $17,000 in damage. After completing the initial investigation, Patrol requested assistance from RTIC. RTIC reviewed relevant intersection/traffic-camera footage, ALPR observations recorded near the crime scene, and construction-site surveillance video. Together, these sources produced vehicle-related investigative leads. CIU pursued the information through additional investigative steps, which eventually led to the identification and arrest of two individuals for burglary and criminal damage. Participating units: Patrol, RTIC, CIU, and SRO.

Missing Juvenile / Assault Suspect Located

RTIC received a case-specific ALPR alert recording a vehicle associated with a missing juvenile in the area. RTIC notified patrol officers, who subsequently located and contacted the vehicle in a shopping-center parking lot. During the contact, officers confirmed that the driver was a juvenile reported missing by a neighboring jurisdiction. Officers also confirmed that the juvenile was associated with a recent assault for which probable cause had previously been established for an arrest. The juvenile was ultimately reunited with her mother. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery / DUI Arrest

A neighboring law-enforcement agency advised QCPD that a possible stolen vehicle was entering Queen Creek. RTIC reviewed ALPR information and found a recent observation showing that the vehicle had passed a fixed camera on Riggs Road at a specific time. Based on the camera’s location and orientation, RTIC personnel inferred that the vehicle was traveling westbound when the observation was recorded (ALPR does not continuously track a vehicle). Officers subsequently located the vehicle and conducted a high-risk stop. The vehicle was recovered, and a separate DUI investigation resulted in the driver’s arrest. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Stolen License Plate Recovery / Warrant Arrest

The Scottsdale Police Department notified QCPD that a license plate reported stolen in Scottsdale had generated an ALPR observation in Queen Creek and requested that officers check the area. RTIC and Patrol subsequently located a vehicle displaying the plate in a shopping-center parking lot and contacted its occupants. After confirming the relevant information, officers arrested one occupant on an outstanding warrant. The stolen plate was recovered and returned to its owner. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery / Commercial Burglary—Active Investigation

An SAU detective received an ALPR alert recording a vehicle listed as stolen. The vehicle and license plate were also believed to have been involved in a commercial burglary. SAU and the Drone Unit conducted a separate search and located the vehicle at a residence. The vehicle was recovered and processed by CSI. Subsequent forensic processing and investigative follow-up developed possible suspect leads. Participating units: SAU, UAS, CSI, and DFR.

Reported Road-Rage Incident / Possible Weapon

QCPD received a report of a road-rage incident involving reckless driving and a verbal altercation between two drivers. The reporting party stated that the other driver made a motion as though reaching for a firearm and provided a license plate and reported direction of travel. An ALPR inquiry returned an observation of the vehicle at a fixed camera location and a specific time. Based on the camera’s location and orientation, RTIC personnel inferred that the vehicle’s apparent direction of travel at the time of the observation differed from the direction initially reported (ALPR does not continuously track a vehicle). RTIC later developed an additional lead indicating that the vehicle had recently been observed near a public park. Patrol officers subsequently located and contacted the vehicle at the park. Following their investigation, the driver was arrested for reckless driving and endangerment. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Missing Person Located

QCPD received an ALPR alert recording a vehicle associated with a missing person from Tacoma, Washington, at a specific location and time. Officers subsequently located and contacted the vehicle. During the contact, officers confirmed that the missing person was safe. The reporting agency was notified, and the individual was removed from the missing-person list. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Wanted Assault Suspect Located

QCPD investigated an assault reported in a local shopping-center parking lot and identified two suspects. One suspect surrendered to detectives, but the other remained at large. RTIC created a case-specific ALPR alert for the outstanding suspect’s known vehicle. A subsequent alert recorded the vehicle in Queen Creek. Officers used the information as a vehicle-related lead, subsequently located the vehicle, and confirmed the suspect’s presence and identity before safely taking the individual into custody. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Suicidal Subject Located

QCPD responded to a report of a suicidal individual whose location was unknown. A case-specific ALPR alert was created for the individual’s vehicle. A subsequent alert recorded the vehicle at a specific location and time, providing officers with a vehicle-related lead. Officers later located the individual, who agreed to undergo a mental-health evaluation. Participating units: Patrol and RTIC.

Wanted Subject Located

QCPD received an ALPR alert recording a vehicle associated with a wanted person from a neighboring jurisdiction. Patrol officers subsequently located and contacted the vehicle. Officers confirmed the driver’s identity, the vehicle registration, and the outstanding warrant before making the arrest.

Missing Elderly Person Located

QCPD responded to a report of a missing elderly person and conducted a documented ALPR search for the individual’s vehicle. The search returned a recent observation of the vehicle at a specific location and time. Patrol officers subsequently located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot, contacted the missing person, and helped the individual return home safely.

Hit-and-Run Vehicle Lead Developed—Active Investigation

QCPD responded to a hit-and-run collision at a gas station. Surveillance footage from the business showed the involved vehicle. Using the available vehicle information, an ALPR search developed a possible matching-vehicle lead, which was provided to the investigating officer for additional follow-up. The investigation remains active.

Acronym Legend

• ALPR - Automated License Plate Recognition/Reader
• CIU - Criminal Investigations Unit
• CSI - Crime Scene Investigators
• DFR - Drone as a First Responder
• DUI - Driving Under the Influence
• NCIC - National Crime Information Center
• QCPD - Queen Creek Police Department
• RTIC - Real Time Information Center
• SAU - Special Assignment Unit
• SRO - School Resource Officers
• UAS - Unmanned Aircraft System/Drone

ALPR Use by Category

The graphic below illustrates the range of investigations and public-safety incidents in which QCPD utilized ALPR during 2025 and through August 11, 2026. The figures reflect instances in which ALPR information supported or advanced investigative and operational efforts; they do not indicate that ALPR independently resolved a case or provided the sole basis for enforcement action. ALPR information is treated as an investigative lead and must be independently verified and corroborated through additional law-enforcement steps.