Fairfax County Police Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: 24/7 Emergency Response; Office and Program Hours Vary
703-691-2131 TTY 711 (Non-Emergency)
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Kevin Davis
Chief of Police

Department Resources

Real Time Crime Center - Transparency

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.

Key Facts About How LPR Technology Is Used
  • 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
What type of alerts do officers receive?

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)
Alerts NOT received:
  • Immigration related enforcement
  • Driver's license or registration violations
  • Civil infractions or civil warrants
  • Parking violations
  • Tax related violations
What can officers search the LPR database for?

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 state code 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 December 31, 2025

1,311
Total LPR Cases
469
Stolen Vehicles Recovered
$7,825,013
Estimated Recovered Vehicle Value
800
Persons Arrested
2,295
Arrest Charges
1,515
Felony Charges
780
Misdemeanor Charges
145
Cases with Recovered Narcotics
60
Guns Recovered
50
Missing Persons Located

LPR Searches Over the Past 30 Days

clustered column chart displaying offense type usage in number of searches and percentage of searches

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - LPR

No, that is not true.

A news article was published that pointed to two specific FCPD database searches as supposed evidence of immigration enforcement. Both characterizations were factually incorrect, and we explained this directly to the journalist. Both searches occurred before July 1, 2025. 

  • The first search, labeled “DHS case assistance,” was part of a financial fraud investigation conducted in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. The search had nothing to do with immigration. The officer involved consulted a supervisor beforehand to confirm it was fully consistent with department policy.
  • The second search, labeled “HSI patrol car arson,” involved the investigation of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) vehicle that had been intentionally set on fire inside Virginia. FCPD assisted in attempting to identify the suspect responsible for that arson. This was an investigation into a dangerous property crime, not immigration enforcement of any kind.

No, that is not correct.

The article concluded that any LPR search referencing a federal agency name was evidence of “immigration enforcement.” Federal agencies like DHS and its components investigate financial crimes, cybercrimes, terrorism, and many other threats. FCPD routinely works alongside federal partners on cases that have nothing to do with immigration status. Labeling those searches as immigration-related, without examining the actual investigative record, produces a misleading picture.

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 state code 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - DFR

The FCPD used calls for service data to place the docking stations at areas of high concentrations and where the drone would be most beneficial to public safety.

American made Skydio X10 drones are used by the DFR program.

DFR pilots work in the RTCC and obtain their FAA remote pilot certification, attend FCPD specific drone training, and conduct extensive ongoing training to include privacy training.

The DFR program is extremely beneficial by arriving on scene of emergency calls for service on average in under two minutes and arriving before other responders in 70% of responses.

No, the FCPD does not use facial recognition technology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Mobile Camera Systems

No.

Mobile camera trailers are equipped with multiple video cameras, a public address speaker, and a flashing blue light. The cameras function as traditional video cameras and do not use facial recognition technology.

The RTCC has access to video footage from mobile camera trailers. When a call for service occurs near a trailer location, RTCC personnel may review the footage to identify relevant information or evidence. If a trailer is deployed in an area experiencing a specific crime trend or public safety concern, RTCC personnel may also monitor the cameras to support ongoing operations and help identify criminal activity.

The Fairfax County Police Department currently operates 11 mobile camera trailers. Residents may also see similar camera trailers at businesses, shopping centers, construction sites, and event venues throughout the county. Those systems are privately owned and operated. Some private camera systems may be voluntarily connected to the RTCC through the Connect Fairfax County program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Connect Fairfax County

No. Registering your camera with Connect Fairfax County does not give the police access to view your camera or monitor live video.

Registration simply lets the RTCC know that a camera may be available in the area if an incident occurs nearby. During registration, you may choose to provide contact information so that, if needed, RTCC personnel can contact you and ask whether you are willing to review your footage or voluntarily share video related to a specific incident.

Participation is entirely voluntary, and registering a camera does not provide the police with direct access to your camera system.

The Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) accesses integrated cameras only when there is a legitimate public safety need, such as a call for service, active incident, or criminal investigation at or near the camera's location.

Integrated cameras are not routinely or continuously monitored. RTCC personnel access cameras to support specific incidents and investigations, helping officers and first responders obtain timely information when needed. In some cases, cameras may be monitored for a limited period in areas experiencing a specific crime trend or public safety concern.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - General

The RTCC primarily uses technology and data products from Axon, Flock Safety, Skydio, Motorola, Peregrine, and Central Square.

Other products are continually evaluated to determine suitability for use in the RTCC.

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