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FOR FLOCK'S SAKE

ALPR records in Alabama

Ask your police department or sheriff what their license-plate cameras log, who they share with, and what they cost. A starting point, not legal advice.

Public records law

Alabama public records law

Ala. Code § 36-12-40

Response deadline

We haven't verified a specific deadline for this section. Ask the agency when to expect a response.

Checked against the official statute text on 2026-10-13. Laws change, so read the source before you rely on it.

Fees & appeals

  • Set a fee cap in your letter and ask for an estimate before any work that would exceed it.
  • Ask for electronic copies. They're usually cheaper than paper.
  • If anything is withheld, ask for the specific exemption and the reasonably segregable parts.
  • If you're denied or the deadline passes, ask the agency in writing how to appeal; the appeal route is set out in Alabama's statute (source).

General guidance, not state-specific fee or appeal rules.

What to ask for

  • Search audit logs

    Every ALPR search: date, the officer or agency, the plate or reason entered, and the case number. This shows who is looking, and why.

  • Contract & invoices

    The vendor agreement (Flock Safety or other), renewals, purchase orders and what it costs.

  • Retention policy

    How long plate reads are kept and the records retention schedule that applies.

  • Sharing list

    Every outside agency or organization that can search your local cameras, and the ones your agency can search.

  • Hot lists

    Which watch lists are loaded into the system, who can add plates, on what basis, and how many alerts fired.

  • Policy & camera list

    The written use policy or general order, and the number and locations of cameras.

Your Alabama request

Using Ala. Code § 36-12-40 State guide →

Every state's law differs on deadlines, fees and how to submit. Find yours in the Reporters Committee Open Government Guide. Not legal advice. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

[Your Name]
[Address · Email · Phone]
October 13, 2026

To: Public Records Officer, [Agency name]

Re: Public records request: automated license plate reader (ALPR) records

Under the Alabama public records law (Ala. Code § 36-12-40 and related provisions), I request copies of the following records, in electronic format where available:

1. All contracts, purchase orders, renewals, and invoices with any ALPR vendor (including Flock Safety) from January 1, 2024 to present.
2. Any policy, general order, or procedure governing ALPR use, data retention, sharing, and access.
3. A list of outside agencies or organizations with which ALPR data is shared, or which have access to your ALPR system or network.
4. Audit logs, search logs, or audit reports of ALPR queries from January 1, 2024 to present, including the stated reason for each search where recorded.
5. The number and locations of ALPR cameras operated by or on behalf of the agency.
6. Any records retention schedule that applies to ALPR data.
7. Any hot lists, watch lists, or alert lists loaded into the ALPR system (or records describing who may add entries and on what basis), and the number of hot-list alerts from January 1, 2024 to present.

If any portion is withheld, please cite the specific exemption and release all reasonably segregable portions. If fees will exceed $25, please contact me before proceeding. I request a fee waiver because this information is in the public interest and is not sought for commercial purposes.

Thank you,
[Your Name]
Open in email

City files in Alabama

Each city file links to a request prefilled for that city. Find the exact agency name and records portal on the agency's website.

Alabama ALPR law

§41-9-620 is the statutory authority for Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-.01 to .10 “License Plate Recognition Systems for Law Enforcement” Government and law enforcement use of ALPRs in Alabama is governed by administrative regulations that require any law enforcement agency using ALPR systems to adopt and publicize a written policy addressing the use of databases for comparison, data retention, data sharing with other agencies and training requirements for ALPR operators. ALPR data may only be collected for criminal or public safety purposes. Transfer of data from a collection device to a secure repository maintained and controlled by that agency must happen within 24 hours. Regulates sharing and access, including restricting sharing to law enforcement and public safety purposes. Prohibits of sale of data and requires use of an access log with the name, date, time and purpose for accessing ALPR data. Addresses sharing data with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Serviced Division once a state registry is established. Sets a retention period of five years for data and access log records with exceptions for ongoing investigations or pending cases. Requires a state audit of agencies at least once every three years. Misuse is to be addressed in the same manner as the alleged misuse of other Alabama Justice Information Commission data.

Summary quoted from NCSL, Automated License Plate Readers: State Statutes, updated September 28, 2026. Not legal advice; read the statute.