NJFOP Calls for Responsible Use of License Plate Reader Technology While Protecting Public Safety and Individual Privacy

State President James E. Ford Emphasizes That Innovation, Accountability, and Constitutional Protections Must Work Together

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police (NJFOP) is reaffirming its support for the continued use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology as an important law enforcement resource, while emphasizing the need for clear policies, meaningful oversight, and strong protections against misuse.

In alignment with the National Fraternal Order of Police’s position paper, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and Emerging Law Enforcement Technologies, NJFOP State President James E. Ford is calling for a balanced approach that recognizes both the public safety benefits of modern technology and the responsibility to protect the constitutional rights and privacy of the public.

“Technology has become an essential part of modern policing, and we cannot ignore the benefits these tools provide to both law enforcement officers and the communities they serve,” said Ford. “Automated License Plate Readers help identify stolen vehicles, locate wanted individuals and missing persons, develop investigative leads, and assist in solving crimes. These are real public safety benefits that should not be overlooked.”

At a time when law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey continue to confront staffing, recruitment, and retention challenges, technologies such as ALPRs serve as valuable force multipliers. They allow officers to work more efficiently, make better use of limited resources, and improve their ability to protect the public.

However, Ford emphasized that supporting technology does not mean overlooking legitimate concerns about privacy, data security, or accountability.

“Public trust is the foundation of effective policing,” Ford continued. “When technology is misused, those responsible must be held accountable. But the misconduct of an individual should not automatically result in the elimination or unnecessary restriction of a tool that is otherwise being used lawfully and responsibly by thousands of dedicated law enforcement professionals.”

The NJFOP supports comprehensive agency policies governing the use of ALPR technology, including:

• Authorized Use: Ensuring ALPR searches and access are limited to legitimate law enforcement purposes.
• Privacy and Data Security: Establishing appropriate standards for data retention, storage, sharing, and deletion.
• Oversight and Accountability: Requiring access controls, audit trails, supervisory review, and meaningful consequences for improper use.
• Training: Ensuring officers are properly educated on legal requirements, agency procedures, and their responsibilities.
• Vendor Accountability: Requiring technology providers to maintain appropriate security standards, protect sensitive information, and operate transparently.

These safeguards should be consistently enforced and periodically reviewed as technology and the legal landscape continue to evolve.

Ford also noted that law enforcement has successfully navigated similar challenges with other investigative technologies, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Rather than abandoning valuable resources because of concerns about potential misuse, agencies established policies, safeguards, auditing systems, and accountability measures to promote their proper use.

“There’s an important distinction between addressing a problem and eliminating a solution,” Ford stated. “If there are weaknesses in policies, we strengthen them. If there are concerns about data security, we address them. If someone abuses their access, we hold them accountable. What we should not do is unnecessarily take away resources that help officers do their jobs and keep our communities safe.”

The NJFOP believes that discussions surrounding emerging law enforcement technologies should include the voices of the officers who use these systems, the communities they serve, policymakers, and the technology providers responsible for protecting sensitive information.

“We welcome constructive conversations about how these systems are used, how information is protected, and how accountability can be strengthened,” Ford said. “Good public policy should be developed through collaboration, an understanding of how law enforcement actually operates, and a shared commitment to public safety and individual rights.”

The NJFOP remains committed to working with lawmakers, law enforcement leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure that New Jersey’s approach to emerging technologies is practical, responsible, and grounded in both public safety and constitutional protections.

“Protecting our communities and protecting individual rights are not competing responsibilities. They are equally important obligations,” Ford concluded. “We can embrace innovation without sacrificing accountability, and we can demand accountability without sacrificing the tools that help keep people safe. That is the balance we should be working toward.”

Acknowledgment of National FOP Position

This statement draws upon and supports the principles outlined in the National Fraternal Order of Police’s position paper, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and Emerging Law Enforcement Technologies. The NJFOP acknowledges the National FOP’s leadership in advancing a balanced approach to law enforcement technology centered on innovation, accountability, public trust, and constitutional protections.

About the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police

The New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police is a statewide law enforcement labor organization dedicated to representing and advocating for its members, advancing the law enforcement profession, promoting officer safety and wellness, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.