LAPD Facial Recognition Policy
Los Angeles Police Commission Facial Recognition Use Policy (LACRIS-only)
Los Angeles, CA · L.A. Board of Police Commissioners facial recognition use policy (Jan. 2021)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 12, 2021
- Applies to
- Los Angeles Police Department personnel
- Enforced by
- Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners / LAPD Inspector General
After officers were caught using Clearview AI, the LA Police Commission adopted a policy in early 2021 restricting LAPD facial recognition to the county's official mugshot database (LACRIS) for criminal investigations. Commercial face-scraping services like Clearview AI are prohibited.
Who is protected: People in Los Angeles subject to LAPD investigations
Legal detail
Police Commission policy (Jan. 2021) limits LAPD facial recognition to the LA County Regional Identification System mugshot database with use logging and oversight reporting; an administrative policy, not a city ordinance.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | January 12, 2021 |
| Citation | L.A. Board of Police Commissioners facial recognition use policy (Jan. 2021) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Internal discipline only |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · police and surveillance AI · government use of AI |
| Agency page | LA Police Commission Adopts Oversight Measures for Facial Recognition Tool — Courthouse News |
More AI rules in Los Angeles, CA
- LAPD lets Flock contract expire (Jul. 11, 2026) · In effect
- LAUSD student generative AI moratorium (2026) · In effect
- LAUSD BUL-151113.0 · In effect
- LA Council holds LAPD/Axon streetlight ALPR pilot (Oct. 2026) · Proposed / pending
Related facial recognition rules elsewhere
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Bristol VA PD facial recognition program (first VA local agency) · In effect
- Dallas PD Clearview AI facial recognition policy · In effect
- Ban biometric recognition in public accommodations (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Limit facial recognition in residential buildings (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Texas v. Google · In effect
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