Data Sharing

Executive summary

The released records include agreements for Amador County to receive ALPR data from Sacramento County and the San Rafael Police Department. The Sheriff’s Office response separately says California law-enforcement agencies using Flock can use Amador-captured data for “Search” and “Alert” functions.

Sacramento County agreement

The Sacramento agreement limits use to official law-enforcement purposes. It requires an ALPR administrator, access controls, training, and entry of an employee name plus a case, incident, or call-for-service number—or a detailed reason when no number is available. It also calls for at least annual audits of agency searches and prohibits sharing Sacramento data with other agencies without written consent.

San Rafael acknowledgement

The San Rafael letter says shared data is for law-enforcement purposes only and not for immigration, personal use, harassment, or other illegal or policy-prohibited uses. It is signed by Undersheriff Jarret Benov and dated March 3, 2026.

Amador policy

Policy 473 permits sharing only with law-enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law-enforcement purposes or as otherwise allowed by law. It requires a written request naming the agency, requester, and intended purpose; review and approval by the Administrative Captain or designee; and retention of the approved request.

Agency statements in the CPRA response

• The Sheriff’s Office said it does not share ALPR data with federal immigration authorities, federal law enforcement, out-of-state law enforcement, or private entities.
• It said California law-enforcement agencies using Flock can use captured data for Search and Alert functions.
• It referred to CSV files listing California agencies permitted to access Amador data.

Questions remaining

• Which agencies had Amador data access at each point in time?
• Were permissions granted individually, by network role, or through statewide defaults?
• How often are access and sharing permissions audited?
• What records document approval of each outbound sharing relationship?