NewsFox 13 News (WTVT)August 14, 2026Hillsborough
Flock Safety mandates new surveillance camera safeguards for law enforcement
Flock Safety is requiring all law enforcement agencies using its license plate reader cameras to implement mandatory audit tools that flag suspicious search patterns. The company is also introducing automatic account lockouts for flagged users, requiring case codes for searches, and reducing the default data retention period from 30 days to seven days.
Read the full story at Fox 13 News (WTVT)Why It Matters
These changes impact how police departments across 49 states access and store vehicle location data, potentially limiting the duration of surveillance and increasing oversight of officer conduct.
Key Facts
- Flock Safety is making the 'Audit Assistance' tool mandatory for all law enforcement customers.
- Users flagged for suspicious search patterns will be automatically locked out of the system pending review.
- By the end of 2025, all searches must be linked to a specific criminal investigation case code.
- Default data retention for license plate images is reduced from 30 days to 7 days.
- Agencies can now restrict data access by other jurisdictions based on the type of investigation.
- More than 50 law enforcement officers nationwide have been accused of or charged with misusing Flock camera systems.
- Most documented misuse cases involve officers tracking romantic partners or family members.
- Emergency searches are exempt from the case code requirement but will be automatically flagged for review.
- Local agencies retain the ability to override the 7-day retention period if they choose.
- Flock Safety operates in 49 states.
Who's Mentioned
personCoty Hall“Former Niceville police officer charged with misuse”organizationFlock Safety“Provider of automated license plate reader technology”personLamar Roman“Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy accused of misuse”personChristopher Goodson“Haines City police officer accused of misusing system”organizationInstitute for Justice“Advocacy group critical of mass surveillance”personJarmarus Brown“Orange City officer charged with misuse”personBrandy Almany“Sumter County detective fired for system misuse”personGarrett Langley“CEO of Flock Safety”organizationAmerican Civil Liberties Union“Privacy advocacy group”