TENNESSEE News - After a growing amount of debate spreads across the country on the subject of license plate readers, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has released details on why their department has supported their use of the equipment. In summery, the TBI says Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology can help law enforcement locate missing and endangered people, identify vehicles connected to wanted individuals or criminal activity, and develop leads in complex investigations.

The TBI release said the technology is used only for documented, lawful public-safety purposes and that ALPR alerts are considered investigative leads rather than conclusive evidence. Recent cases include helping locate a one-year-old taken from Tennessee and an at-risk adult who was found in Colorado, as well as assisting a 2024 investigation into the shooting of a Tennessee state trooper. The agency said strict safeguards are in place, including limiting access to trained personnel, prohibiting unauthorized uses, maintaining audit records and establishing rules for security, information sharing and data retention.

TBI Director David Rausch said ALPR can be valuable when used properly but stressed that the technology must be accompanied by clear rules, accountability and respect for the public’s trust. Scroll down to read the full media release, verbatim, from the TBI.

Full TBI Media Release: In Favor of LPR - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is committed to using investigative technology responsibly, lawfully, and in ways that help protect and serve the public.

Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology is one such tool. When used appropriately and with meaningful safeguards, ALPR can help investigators develop critical leads, locate missing or endangered individuals, identify vehicles associated with wanted persons or criminal activity, and advance complex cases.

TBI uses ALPR information in select investigations for documented public-safety purposes. The technology provides investigative leads, not conclusions, and information obtained through ALPR must be evaluated alongside other facts and investigative methods.

Recent TBI cases demonstrate its value. ALPR information has helped the Bureau and its partner agencies locate missing and endangered children and vulnerable adults, identify vehicles associated with wanted fugitives, and develop leads in investigations involving violent crime, drug trafficking, and organized criminal activity.

In one 2026 case involving a one-year-old taken from Tennessee, ALPR information in Georgia helped TBI and partner agencies narrow the search before the child was safely located during a traffic stop. In another case, ALPR information helped investigators track the vehicle of a missing at-risk adult from Tennessee to Colorado, where authorities ultimately found and helped him.

ALPR has also supported complex criminal cases. In 2024, LPR data directly focused and accelerated TBI's investigative efforts to locate the individuals responsible for shooting and severely wounding a Tennessee state trooper.

These outcomes illustrate both the value of the technology and the importance of using it appropriately.

Consistent with applicable law, and best practices developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), TBI has committed to extensive safeguards governing its use of ALPR technology. Among them:

 

Utilizing ALPR technology and information only for documented, lawful public-safety purposes.

Limiting access to trained, authorized personnel, and prohibiting personal, political, retaliatory, discriminatory, commercial, or other unauthorized uses.

Ensuring policy governs authorized uses, training, access, security, information sharing, retention, auditing, and consequences for misuse.

Treating ALPR alerts as investigative leads, not conclusive evidence.

Maintaining audit records and conducting reviews to help ensure appropriate use, data accuracy, retention compliance, and continued public-safety value.

“When used properly and purposefully, Automated License Plate Recognition technology can be a valuable tool in our mission to protect and serve,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “We have seen it help locate vulnerable people, advance difficult cases, and give law enforcement critical information when time matters. Just as importantly, we recognize that technology this powerful must be used responsibly, with clear rules and meaningful accountability.”

TBI believes effective public safety and responsible technology use can, and must, go hand in hand. As investigative technologies continue to evolve, the Bureau will continue working with law enforcement partners, policymakers, stakeholders, and technology providers to promote appropriate standards, strong safeguards, thoughtful accountability, and best practices for their use.

Our goal is not simply to use these tools, but to do so in ways that serve legitimate public-safety needs, respect the law, and strengthen the public trust essential to our mission.