SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has temporarily disabled its automated license plate reader camera technology after Governor Ferguson signed new legislation that significantly restricts how law enforcement can use the systems.
The sheriff’s office deactivated the ALPR cameras after Gov. Ferguson signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6002 into law.
Sheriff John Nowels said the decision was necessary to prevent employees and deputies from facing potential gross misdemeanor charges for violating the new law.
“I believe some in the legislature had good intentions, but unfortunately, it seems they did not completely understand ALPR technology, how effective it is, or the many ways it is used and not used,” Nowels said.
The sheriff’s office has used ALPR technology for major crime investigations, identifying violent offenders, locating missing people, finding stolen vehicles and locating wanted suspects.
“These imposed restrictions have made it nearly impossible for law enforcement agencies across the State of Washington to continue using ALPR systems as currently designed and implemented, and that is unacceptable,” Nowels said.
The sheriff’s office is consulting with its legal team to explore ways to use ALPR technology in the future while staying within the scope permitted by state law.
Nowels said he will continue working with legislators and other law enforcement organizations to find a solution to what he considers unintended consequences of the new law.
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