San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph has responded for the first time to criticism over what he told the City Council about the city's automated license plate readers, San José Spotlight reported.
The officer who was fired
Joseph said in September that an officer used a personal device while off duty to look up the vehicle of a domestic violence victim in the ALPR system, CBS San Francisco reported. The officer shared the location with the suspect, a relative. The officer was put on leave and later fired, and the case was sent to the state's police licensing commission. The department then banned access to ALPR and other sensitive systems from personal devices.
The March statement
In March, as the council weighed new ALPR safeguards, Mayor Matt Mahan asked whether there had been any unauthorized access or improper disclosures. "No we have not," Joseph answered, the Spotlight reported. SJPD has said it learned of the officer's actions in February 2025.
At a Rules and Open Government Committee meeting on Wednesday, Joseph said he knew of the investigation at the time. He said he was answering questions about outside agencies and immigration enforcement, and that the answer to those questions is still no. He also said he couldn't disclose the case without risking the discipline process. "Trust in the police department begins with me," he said.
Critics not satisfied
Sean Allen, president of the NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley chapter, told the Spotlight that protecting an investigation and making a broad public assurance are different things. Raj Jayadev of Silicon Valley De-Bug questioned whether the department should be trusted with the technology.
San Jose's network has about 500 Flock Safety cameras. City staff said some new safeguards can start right away, and others need more council action. Another update is expected before budget talks begin in March.
Related: SFPD and Flock data retention.