New York License Plate Readers: NYPD Policy and FOIL Requests

New York does not appear in NCSL’s table of states with a dedicated ALPR statute, but New York City has published a detailed police policy that anyone can read. This page summarizes that policy and explains how to make a FOIL request. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the policy text.

Does New York State have an ALPR statute?

No ALPR-specific statute was identified for New York in NCSL’s September 28, 2026 50-state overview.

Statewide, that means there is no single retention period or sharing code that covers every sheriff’s office and city police department. Local policies, union contracts, and vendor agreements fill the gap. New York City also regulates police surveillance technologies through the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. NYPD’s plate-reader policy states that the February 4, 2026 revision was made to comply with Local Law 56 of 2025, an amendment to that Act.

Outside New York City, ask the local police or sheriff’s office whether it uses plate readers and whether it has a written policy. Do not assume NYPD’s five-year retention rule applies upstate or on Long Island.

What does NYPD’s published plate-reader policy say?

NYPD says it uses license plate readers to help find stolen or wanted vehicles and vehicles tied to missing-person alerts, abductions, or other crimes, and that the readers notify personnel when a listed plate passes a device.

The department’s License Plate Readers: Impact and Use Policy, updated February 4, 2026, includes these points:

The policy also describes access through NYPD’s Domain Awareness System, password controls, auditing by the Information Technology Bureau, and vendor access limited to contractual duties. Those operational details are best read in the policy itself rather than restated at length here.

This is an example of a major U.S. agency using a vendor other than the solar-pole brand that dominates many national searches. For a wider vendor list, see what an ALPR is.

How do I request New York plate-reader records under FOIL?

Send a written request that reasonably describes existing records to the records access officer at the agency that holds them.

New York’s Freedom of Information Law is Article 6 of the Public Officers Law (sections 84 through 90). The Committee on Open Government explains that each agency must designate a records access officer, and that a request should be directed to the agency that maintains the records. The Committee itself gives advice about FOIL; it does not keep NYPD files and cannot retrieve another agency’s records.

When you write:

1. Name the agency: NYPD for New York City police records, or the relevant city, town, village, or county agency elsewhere.
2. Describe existing records as specifically as you can, including dates and document types.
3. Say whether you want to inspect records or receive copies, and how you want them sent.
4. Include contact information so the agency can clarify the request.
5. Remember that an agency is not required to create a new record.

The Committee’s published FOIL process, which implements the statewide law, calls for an agency to respond within five business days of receiving a reasonably described written request by making records available, denying the request in writing, or acknowledging the request and giving an estimated date. A denial can be appealed under the Public Officers Law.

Useful records to request, when they exist, include the current impact and use policy, procurement files, vendor contracts, retention schedules, audit procedures, and any public reports required under the POST Act. NYPD’s policy says public FOIL requests for LPR data will be evaluated under the law; it does not promise that plate-level records about a particular car will be released. Exemptions can apply.

For reported camera locations, use the map. Mobile readers on NYPD vehicles will not appear as fixed pins.

What are common questions about New York plate-reader records?

Does NYPD use the same solar-pole cameras people photograph in other states?

NYPD’s published policy names Leonardo Elsag as the manufacturer of the readers it uses and describes both stationary and vehicle-mounted units. Do not assume every camera in the city is from the same vendor.

Can I send a FOIL request to the Committee on Open Government instead of NYPD?

No. The Committee advises the public and agencies about FOIL. It does not have custody of NYPD plate-reader files. Send the request to NYPD’s records access officer or the agency that actually keeps the records.

Is this website part of NYPD or a camera vendor?

No. Licenseplatereader.app is independent and is not affiliated with NYPD, the City of New York, or any camera manufacturer.

Sources

1. National Conference of State Legislatures, Automated License Plate Readers: State Statutes (updated September 28, 2026).
2. New York City Police Department, License Plate Readers: Impact and Use Policy (updated February 4, 2026).
3. New York City Council, Local Law 56 of 2025, cited in NYPD’s policy as a POST Act amendment.
4. New York State Committee on Open Government, Make a FOIL Request and Freedom of Information Law.

Last reviewed: November 9, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm). Always read the current policy PDF, because NYPD can issue later revisions.