Skip to content
FOR FLOCK'S SAKE

ALPR records in Washington

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

Washington Public Records Act

RCW 42.56.520

Response deadline

Within 5 business days the agency must respond (provide, acknowledge with an estimate, or deny).

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 Washington'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 Washington request

Using RCW 42.56.520. Deadline: Within 5 business days the agency must respond (provide, acknowledge with an estimate, or deny). 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 Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56.520 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 Washington

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

Washington ALPR law

SB 6002 (2026)

Authorizes the use of ALPRs only for specific purposes. Law enforcement agencies may use ALPRs to compare plate data against state and federal databases to locate vehicles that are stolen, associated with a missing or endangered person, registered to someone with an outstanding felony or gross misdemeanor warrant or connected to a felony or gross misdemeanor investigation. Specifies parking enforcement agency use and allows transportation agencies to use for traffic monitoring, modeling and studies in addition to commercial vehicle enforcement and regulation. Prohibits use for immigration enforcement or investigations, monitoring or investigation of access to protected health care services or tracking or monitoring constitutionally protected activities. Provides specific locations where ALPR data collection is limited. Any state and local agencies using ALPRs must register the systems with the attorney general within 180 days, certify compliance and document training processes. Data must be deleted within 21 days unless retained under specific exceptions. Restricts disclosing, sharing or permitting access to data or data systems. Agencies that use ALPRs must adopt policies governing system use, conduct annual internal audits, and submit annual reports to the legislature on system practices and usage. It is a gross misdemeanor to willfully and intentionally use, access or share ALPR systems or data for a purpose not specifically authorized. Creates a civil cause of action for persons injured by a violation of state law to seek relief, including monetary damages. Allows civil remedies. Regulations apply to all state and local agencies including law enforcement, parking enforcement and transportation agencies that operate or use ALPRs.

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