APD Policies — ALPR & Public Safety Video

Ayer Police Department's Lexipol-published Policy 426 (ALPR) and Policy 336 (Public Safety Video Surveillance System).

Last updated June 4, 2026

Pages: 6 (Policy 426: pp.1–2; Policy 336: pp.3–6)
Citation key: APD-Pol p.X
Manual print date: 2026/04/27 (Lexipol footer; not necessarily APD adoption date)
Download: ⬇ PDF (780 KB)

Why this PDF is hosted here We checked thoroughly (June 2026): the Town of Ayer does not publish its police policy manual on its public website. Lexipol does not host APD's manual on its public portals either. Policy 426 and Policy 336 govern public conduct in Ayer but are otherwise inaccessible to the public. We host this PDF under fair use:

The records were lawfully released by the Town under MA G.L. c. 66 §10.
Purpose: news reporting, commentary, and criticism on a matter of significant public concern.
No market substitution — Lexipol does not sell these manuals to the public.
Transformative use accompanied by extensive analytical commentary.

Lexipol or the Town: if you would prefer to provide a public link, we will replace this hosted copy with that link. Contact via the Methodology page.

What's in it

p.1–2 — Policy 426 — Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs): purpose, policy, administration, operations, data collection & retention, accountability, releasing ALPR data
p.3–6 — Policy 336 — Public Safety Video Surveillance System: purpose, operations, placement, integration with other tech, supervision, storage, release of images, audit, training

Policy 426 — key clauses

APD Policy 426 page 1 — **APD-Pol p.1** — Policy 426 first page. Lexipol footer dated 2026/04/27.

426.2 Policy "The policy of the Ayer Police Department is to utilize ALPR technology to capture and store digital license plate data and images while recognizing the established privacy rights of the public. All data and images gathered by the ALPR are for the official use of this department. Because such data may contain confidential information, it is not open to public review." (p.1)

426.3 Administration "All installation and maintenance of ALPR equipment, as well as ALPR data retention and access, shall be managed by the Deputy Chief. The Deputy Chief will assign members under his/her command to administer the day-to-day operation of the ALPR equipment and data." (p.1)

426.4 Operations "(b) Authorized access to an ALPR may be used in conjunction with an investigation. Reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required before using an ALPR." (p.1)

426.5 Data Collection and Retention "All stored ALPR data should be retained in accordance with the established records retention schedule. Thereafter, ALPR data should be purged unless it has become, or it is reasonable to believe it will become, evidence in a criminal or civil action or is subject to a discovery request or other lawful action to produce records." (p.2)

426.7 Releasing ALPR Data Massachusetts agencies request via the network interface. Non-Massachusetts agencies must submit a written request including (1) the name of the agency, (2) the name of the person requesting, and (3) the intended purpose, reviewed and approved by the Deputy Chief before fulfillment. The approved request is retained on file. (p.2)

Policy 336 — key clauses

336.1 Purpose and Scope "This policy only applies to overt, marked public safety video surveillance systems operated by the Department. It does not apply to mobile audio/video systems, covert audio/video systems, or any other image-capturing devices used by the Department." (p.3)

→ See Red Flag #8 — open question about whether this policy actually covers the Flock cameras

336.3.2 Integration with Other Technology "The Department may elect to integrate its public safety video surveillance system with other technology to enhance available information. Systems such as gunshot detection, incident mapping, crime analysis, license plate recognition, and other video-based analytical systems may be considered based upon availability and the nature of department strategy." (p.4)

336.4.1 Video Log "A log should be maintained at all locations where video surveillance monitors are located. The log should be used to document all persons not assigned to the monitoring locations who have been given access to view or monitor images provided by the video surveillance cameras. The logs should, at a minimum, record the: (a) Date and time access was given. (b) Name and agency of the person being given access to the images. (c) Name of person authorizing access. (d) Identifiable portion of images viewed." (p.4-5)