ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to expand its partnership with Axon as it moves forward with the next generation of its Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) program.
BCSO already uses Axon technology through body-worn cameras, digital evidence systems, and Fleet 3 mobile ALPR systems installed in patrol vehicles. The expanded partnership will add additional vehicle intelligence tools and integrate them into the agency’s existing technology platforms.
Sheriff John Allen said the goal is to enhance public safety while maintaining strong privacy and accountability safeguards.
Under the proposed system, BCSO says it will maintain control over:
- ALPR data storage
- Retention periods
- Data-sharing decisions
- User access permissions
According to the sheriff’s office, information is not automatically shared with a national database, and any authorized sharing with other agencies can be restricted, reviewed, or revoked.
The system also includes auditing features that document:
- Who accessed information
- When access occurred
- What actions were taken
- Why the information was searched
BCSO says license plate searches are only allowed when tied to a criminal investigation.
Officials say:
- Access is limited to authorized personnel
- Searches must be documented
- Activity is linked to case numbers
- Supervisors can review usage logs
The sheriff’s office currently retains ALPR data for 30 days and says it expects to remain within a 30-to-60-day retention window, subject to policy decisions and state law.
Sheriff Allen said ALPR systems provide investigative leads but do not independently establish probable cause or prove a crime occurred.
BCSO says license plate reader technology has helped detectives connect vehicles to crime scenes, travel patterns, and timelines in major investigations.
The agency emphasized that ALPR information is only one investigative tool and must be confirmed through traditional police work.
BCSO hopes to begin implementing the expanded Axon ALPR system before the end of 2026, pending contracting, procurement, testing, and training requirements.
The expansion comes after New Mexico’s Driver Privacy and Safety Act took effect on July 1, 2026, establishing restrictions on the use and sharing of ALPR information and creating penalties for misuse.
