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Sheriff's office says it will pause license-plate-reader program while state issues model policy
Summary
Spokane County deputy explained a newly passed emergency law on ALPRs (automatic license-plate readers) will require a pause in local operations until the Attorney General issues a model policy and county obtains required MOUs; the county will retain program but must alter retention and sharing practices immediately upon the governor's signature.
Dustin Lundgren, speaking for the sheriff's office, told the council that the Legislature enacted a comprehensive new ALPR law under an emergency provision, and that the Attorney General's office will issue a model policy which counties and agencies must adopt. "We are going to be pausing the use of ALPRs for a short amount of time," Lundgren said, adding the program is not ending but will need policy adjustments to comply with new retention limits and defined interagency-sharing protocols.
Key features flagged by the sheriff's office include shorter data retention (hits retained for 21 days except in limited circumstances), the need for MOUs with the AG's office for data-sharing partners, and criminal penalties for violations. Lundgren said the program will be paused only until the county satisfies the model policy requirements and that the pause is intended to prevent noncompliance.
He also updated council on personnel changes and enforcement priorities: one deputy is relocating out of state and recruitment for a Medical Lake/Deer Park deputy is underway; the county is also seeking to add a second motor unit and a nighttime DUI car to address impaired-driving collisions. On evidence processing, Lundgren said the state crime lab remains a constraint on turnaround times for blood- and other forensic testing.
Council thanked the sheriff's office for the update and asked staff to track how the new law will affect city-shared programs and extra-duty scheduling.
