Switzerland, Canton of Bern
Kantonspolizei Bern
Automated vehicle search (AFV) with number plate recognition
OperationalJournalismPAI-E5C3936C
- Body
- Kantonspolizei Bern
- Country
- Switzerland
- Area
- Canton of Bern
- Technology
- Automated vehicle search (AFV) with number plate recognition
- Supplier
- Not stated in the source
- Status
- Operational
In routine use by the named body, on the evidence of a public source. - Stage
- In use now
- Since
- August 2024
- Legal basis
- Bernese rules in the cantonal police law, which the Federal Supreme Court is reported to have found largely constitutional while requiring changes.
- Oversight
- Not stated in the source
- Evidence
- Journalism
Named reporting by a reputable outlet - Source
- Südostschweiz (sda), 15 August 2026
- Last checked
- Record code
PAI-E5C3936C
Notes
Südostschweiz, carrying a report by the news agency sda (15 August 2026), reports that the Kantonspolizei Bern introduced automated vehicle search in August 2024, that the police report arrests including a suspect in an attempted homicide and successes in cases involving persons of concern, burglars and missing persons, and that they cannot say whether it led to more criminal proceedings. It says the Federal Supreme Court ruled the Bernese rules largely constitutional but requiring changes to the police law, which the canton plans to make. Zürich's government (RRB 2026/445, 15 April 2026) notes that the Federal Supreme Court annulled a Lucerne provision on such searches on 17 October 2024 because regulatory competence lies in principle with the federal government. No vendor, number of devices or specific legal provision is given in the reports found.
Automated vehicle search (AFV) with number plate recognition elsewhere in Switzerland
See them in the tracker| Deployment | Country | Supplier | Since | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG)Automatic number plate recording at border crossings | SwitzerlandFederal (about 170 border crossings) | — | — | Operational | |
| Kantonspolizei ThurgauAutomated vehicle search and traffic surveillance (AFV) with number plate scanners | SwitzerlandCanton of Thurgau | — | — | Discontinued |