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Los Gatos police report highlights staffing, modernization and ALPR safeguards amid public questions
Summary
Chief Jamie Field reported on recruitment, volunteer programs, technology upgrades including Axon and drone capabilities, regional event planning and ALPR ('Flock') operations; residents asked about training documentation, data sharing and safeguards for license plate reader use.
The Los Gatos Police Department presented its biannual report covering July–December 2025, outlining staffing changes, volunteer programs, technology upgrades, and regional event planning. Chief Jamie Field told the council the department hired a records specialist, a lateral officer and three trainees and conducted a broad recruiting push that produced hundreds of applicants. He highlighted growth in volunteer units — Explorers, DART and CERT — that augment department capacity for community events and emergency response.
The department is modernizing several areas. Chief Field said mobile data computers in patrol vehicles are being replaced, the department is rolling out the Axon ecosystem (including an operations drone program) and is implementing automated case filing to reduce officer overtime. The department is also evaluating consolidation of police operations facilities after a DLR space assessment recommended a larger headquarters to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Field and Sergeant Kalipo Kawoa described traffic‑safety programs that mix education (radar trailer deployments), enforcement and engineering changes; traffic stops and citations were roughly steady year over year and the department noted continuing focus on DUI enforcement supported by grant funding.
A large portion of public Q&A centered on the department’s Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) program, commonly referred to as Flock in the report. Chief Field said Los Gatos operates 17 cameras, retains ALPR data for 30 days, and shares access within Santa Clara County for investigative purposes with monthly internal audits overseen by a support‑services captain. Residents asked whether training documentation for ALPR users exists and whether the department has safeguards against federal or out‑of‑jurisdiction access. The department said training requirements exist and audits are performed; staff committed to follow up on specific training‑record public‑records questions and to provide more detail about administrative safeguards and the county‑sharing policy.
Council members pressed for more granular metrics on ALPR effectiveness and for documentation on how the technology has supported investigations; staff said some investigative outcomes cannot be fully disclosed in open session but that the tool has led to arrests and helped locate stolen vehicles and missing persons while maintaining a 30‑day retention policy that is more restrictive than many neighboring agencies.
On consolidation, Chief Field said the department continues a space assessment and that a larger consolidated facility could improve service and reduce travel time between stations during high‑congestion periods. No formal action was taken; council members asked staff to return with additional detail as part of future budget and facilities planning.
