Please take a look at LPR success stories and DFR success stories on the FCPD News site.
License Plate Readers (LPR) Transparency
The Fairfax County Police Department is committed to the responsible and transparent use of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology. This tool is used to support public safety while maintaining strong safeguards to protect individual privacy and civil liberties.
- LPR cameras capture images of license plates from vehicles in public view
- LPR is used to support criminal investigations and locate missing or endangered persons
- All searches must be tied to a valid law enforcement purpose, such as a criminal investigation or missing person case
- LPR data is not used for immigration enforcement purposes
- The department does not grant federal law enforcement agencies access to LPR data without a court order
- The department does not grant agencies outside the Commonwealth of Virginia access to LPR data without a court order
- Data is retained for a limited period in accordance with Virginia law and department policy (21 days)
- All LPR searches are logged, tracked, and subject to regular audit and oversight
- Access to LPR systems is restricted to authorized personnel who have received required training
- The department maintains strict policies to ensure compliance with state law and protect community trust
Alerts received:
- Stolen vehicle
- Stolen license plate
- Missing person
- Warrants (person with active warrants for their arrest)
- Felony vehicle (vehicle involved in felony crimes)
- Custom alert (used to enter vehicles recently involved in a crime and not yet entered in NCIC)
- Immigration related enforcement
- Driver's license or registration violations
- Civil infractions or civil warrants
- Parking violations
- Tax related violations
Officers can use the LPR database to search for vehicles involved in crimes that are a violation of the Code of Virginia (Title 18.2. Crimes and Offenses Generally).
The Fairfax County Police Department continually reviews its policies and practices to ensure LPR technology is used responsibly, effectively, and in a manner that reflects the values of the community it serves. The use of license plate readers is governed by Code of Virginia 2.2-5517 and FCPD General Order 424, Automatic License Plate Reader Program.
Since November 2022, the Fairfax County Police Department has used LPR technology from Axon, Flock Safety, and Motorola.
Cumulative LPR Data
November 1, 2022 through October 12, 2026
LPR Searches by Offense Type Over the Past 30 Days
*Last updated October 12, 2026. Bar length is the search count, scaled to the largest category. Percentages are each category's share of total searches.
All 13 remaining offense types
How the FCPD Conducts LPR Audits
Every LPR search is tied to a case and permanently logged. Two independent review tracks examine those searches before anything reaches the Commander. Audit reports are on a monthly cadence.
Search Conducted
Case number and crime type required
Logged to Audit Portal
Permanent record, cannot be removed
Human Review
Audit team reviews 100% of searches, anomalies in patterns, and user history
AI Audit Tool
Surfaces search patterns based on pre-determined criteria
Reviewed separately
Monthly Report to FCPD Commander
Commander reviews all audit findings
Commander is prohibited from conducting LPR searches
This prohibition is separately reviewed
Rules Followed?
Did the user follow FCPD system rules?
Yes
Audit Cycle Complete
Search cleared
No
Written Justification
To justify their actions
Removed From System
Must re-attend in-person training
Prompt Investigation
If law or policy violated
Every Search Is Attributed and Permanent
- All users must list a case or event number and a crime type when they conduct a search.
- All searches are logged into the Audit portal and cannot be removed.
Every Search Is Reviewed, Twice
- An audit team continually reviews 100% of the searches conducted by the FCPD.
- The team looks to identify anomalies within search patterns and user history.
- An AI audit tool surfaces search patterns based on pre-determined criteria.
- The AI audit is reviewed separately from the human review.
Command Oversight
- The audit team provides a monthly report to the FCPD Commander for final review.
- The FCPD Commander is prohibited from conducting any LPR searches, which is separately reviewed.
If the Rules Are Not Followed
- Any user who did not follow the strict system rules set forth by the FCPD must provide written documentation to justify their actions.
- That user is removed from the system and must re-attend in-person training.
- If violations of law or departmental policy are found, then a prompt investigation will begin.
Drones as First Responder (DFR) Transparency
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program operates under established county standards that emphasize responsible use, strong oversight, and a clear commitment to transparency. All drone deployments are governed by strict county policies and Code of Virginia 19.2-60.1. (Use of unmanned aircraft systems by public bodies; search warrant required) that limit use to legitimate calls for service, with defined protocols for camera placement, flight operations, and recording. Each flight is recorded and retained through a policy which retains video for 60 days before being deleted, unless classified and retained as evidence. Through these measures, the program reinforces public trust by ensuring accountability, protecting privacy, and maintaining a transparent approach to how this technology is used in support of the community.
Visit the UAS Program Missions page to see recent drone flight logs.
What is the decision-making process for launching a drone?
Every drone flight must clear the same series of legal, policy, and safety checkpoints before launch. Even when every checkpoint passes, the RTCC Commander and the Pilot each have the authority to decline the flight.
Call Received
May warrant a drone response
State Code
Allowed under Virginia law?
No, do not launch.
Yes, continue.
County Policy
Within Fairfax County policy?
No, do not launch.
Yes, continue.
FAA Permission
Airspace cleared to fly?
No, do not launch.
Yes, continue.
Weather
Conditions safe to fly?
No, do not launch.
Yes, continue.
RTCC Commander
Reviews all checkpoints, may decline
No, do not launch.
Yes, continue.
Pilot
Final checkpoint, may decline to fly
No, do not launch.
Yes, continue.
Launch
Deployed as first responder
Do Not Launch
Any "no" means no drone flight