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Home My WebLink About08/18/2026 05. Distributed at the Meeting8/13/26, 4:02 PM Chandler Discontinues Use of Flock's Automated License Plate Readers Distributed at Meeting: 03-1S-2 26, Item# Chandler Discontinues Use of Flock's Automated License Plate Readers grR handleraz.gov/news-center/chandler-discontinues-use-flocks-automated-license-plate-readers https:l/www.facebook.com/cityofchandleraz August 7, 2026 CHANDLER, Ariz. — Chandler will discontinue the use of 40 fixed -camera automated license plate readers (ALPR) provided by Flock Group, Inc. The city will no longer pursue the renewal of a service agreement with the vendor at this time. The City of Chandler maintains the highest standard of public trust, transparency and accountability. The Chandler Police Department exemplifies that standard in their day -today operations within our community. Our entire organization strives to provide timely decisions. For the first time in three years, our routine audit process identified an anomaly in the use of the Flock system that could not be explained through standard police action. This is exactly what our audit safeguards are designed to do, catch irregular activity so it can be reviewed and addressed. We are currently investigating to determine if the Flock system was used inappropriately, and if so, what discipline may be required. Our initial review makes it clear that no Chandler resident, or any member of the public, had their privacy compromised. Nonetheless, any misuse of the Flock system is a matter we take extremely seriously, and our investigation is ongoing. Consistent with that finding, we are taking this opportunity to strengthen safeguards regarding the future use of ALPR cameras and data, to protect any use of Chandler's data within the system. This will include policy revision, additional audit procedures and reporting requirements. If this protection package is in place and approved by City Council in a public, transparent process, we may go out for a request of proposals to evaluate vendors who can maintain our high standards. Although Chandler's access to the system will be terminated, the 40 fixed -camera ALPRs and poles are the property of Flock Group, Inc. The removal of that equipment will be performed as quickly as possible by the vendor. The use of Flock's fixed -camera ALPRs began in March 2024 as part of a pilot project, resulting in 14 camera installations in Chandler. The service agreement with Flock was expanded to 40 cameras in May 2025.. hops://www.printfriendly.com/print?url=hops%3A%2F%2Fwww.chandleraz.gov%2Fnews-center%2Fchandler-discontinues-use-flocks-automated-licen., . 1/2 8/17/26, 8:30 AM PD: Apache Junction officer resigns after misusing Flock cameras to track wife PD: Apache Junction officer resigns after misusing Flock cameras to track wife Az' azfamily.com/2026/08/10/apache-junction-officer-accused-misusing-license-plate-reader-track-family-member Brian Petersheim, Veronica Stracqualursi August 10, 2026 The former officer used the Apache Junction Police Department's Flock cameras to track down his wife, allegedly for a welfare check, the police chief said. Published: Aug. 10, 2026 at 11:22 AM MSTIUpdated: Aug. 10, 2026 at 1:55 PM MST APACHE JUNCTION, AZ (AZFamily) —An Apache Junction police officer's alleged personal use of Flock cameras ends in resignation as Arizona cities question the technology's reach. The former officer used the department's Flock cameras to track down his wife, allegedly for a welfare check, Apache Junction police chief Michael Pooley said at a press conference Monday. How it unfolded The officer asked Apache Junction Police Department (AJPD) dispatchers to run his wife's license plate on April 19, Pooley said. Police said the dispatchers complied, but flagged their concerns about the use of the technology for personal use to a supervisor. Around the same time, the officer called the city of Casa Grande to report a welfare check on his wife, Pooley said. During a call with Casa Grande police, he revealed he had already used Apache Junction's Flock cameras to track his wife's car to Casa Grande, Pooley said. Casa Grande PD immediately contacted Apache Junction. AJPD launched an internal investigation the next day and immediately placed the officer on administrative leave, according to Pooley. Apache Junction concluded its investigation two weeks ago, and the officer resigned shortly after, Pooley said. The police chief said the officer would have been fired otherwise. "When they blur the lines, or they blur their judgment, regardless of what's going on in their personal lives, they have to speak for their actions. And they have to be held accountable," Pooley said. The department said in a statement that "AJPD takes the responsibility associated with access to law -enforcement databases and technology extremely seriously." https://www.printfriendly.com/print?url=hops%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F2026%2F08%2F 10%2Fapache-junction-officer-accused-misusing-lice... 1/2 8/17/26, 8:30 AM PD: Apache Junction officer resigns after misusing Flock cameras to track wife "Department employees are entrusted with systems containing sensitive information, and that access must only be used for legitimate and authorized law -enforcement purposes." Pooley, however, said Monday that the incident would not result in any changes to Apache Junction police's use of Flock cameras, arguing that it's been resourceful in solving other crimes in the city and relocating missing people. A growing concern The case comes amid growing scrutiny of license plate reading cameras, particularly those made by Flock Safety, across Arizona and the nation. On Friday, the City of Chandler abruptly discontinued use of the cameras after an "anomaly" was identified during a recent audit, leading to an investigation involving a department employee. Last week, Pinal County also decided not to renew its contract with the company, while Flagstaff and Sedona ended contracts with Flock last year. See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it. Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description. Copyright 2026 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved. https://www.prinffriendly.com/print?url=https%3A%2P/02Fwww.azfamily.com%2F2026%2F08°/02F10%2Papache-junction-officer-accused-misusing-lice... 2/2 8/17/26, 8:28 AM City of Surprise Suspends Use of Flock Cameras City of Surprise Suspends Use of Flock Cameras arizonadailyindependent.com/2026/08/13/city-of-surprise-suspends-use-of-flock-cameras ADI Staff Reporter August 13, 2026 PHOENIX —Amid growing awareness of and opposition to Flock cameras and suspected misuse of the technology, the City of Surprise has suspended the use of its automated license plate readers (ALPR). The city operated 28 of these camera systems to track vehicle data and assist in criminal investigations. Police did not detail the specific anomaly in the system's use, nor did they identify the officer who was placed on administrative leave. According to the city, it has launched an investigation into a potential violation of its ALPR policy, and a Surprise Police Officer has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation can be completed. "Let me be clear, I support giving our law enforcement all of the tools they need to keep our city safe and catch criminals, but this new technology lacks the adequate guardrails in place to prohibit misuse at this time," stated Councilman Jack Hastings. "Public trust is of the highest importance to the Surprise Police Department and maintaining that trust requires transparency and accountably," said Surprise Police Chief Evan Becher. "While we still need to complete an investigation into this irregularity, we are taking this incident very seriously. That is why we took immediate action to halt the program, investigate the issue and make the community aware of it." To help ensure ALPR is only used for legitimate public safety investigations, the City maintains a policy to safeguard against misuse, which includes regular audits of the system. The most recent audit, conducted this week, functioned as intended by identifying an incident of irregular use. However, the City is taking this opportunity to evaluate additional safeguards that could further strengthen oversight. "This technology has proven to be extremely valuable in solving serious crimes. As we look to continue the use of this public safety tool, we want strong safeguards in place that not only alert of misuse but also prevent it," said Chief Becher. "Surprise Police Department is committed to ensuring enhanced protections are in place before reimplementing use of ALPR cameras." https://www.printfriendly.com/print?urkhttp0/03AcY02F%2Farizonadailyindependent.com%2F2026°/02F08%2F13%2Fcity-of-surprise-suspends-use-of-fl... 1/2 8/17/26, 8:28 AM City of Surprise Suspends Use of Flock Cameras Additional information will be released as appropriate and upon the conclusion of the investigation. https://www.printfrlendly.com/print?url=https%3M/02P/02Farizonadailyindependent.com%2F2026%2F08%2F13°A2Fcity-of-surprise-suspends-use-of-fl... 2/2 8/17/26, 8:29 AM Another Arizona police officer accused of misusing Flock system Another Arizona police officer accused of misusing Flock system azoentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley-breaking/2026/08/11/goodyear-police-officer-accused-of-misusing-flock- camera-system/91264674007 David Ulloa Jr August 11, 2026 Updated Aug. 11, 2026, 4:47 p.m. MT A Goodyear police officer was placed on administrative leave after investigators found that he may have improperly used an automated license plate reader, according to an Aug. 11 statement released by the Goodyear Police Department. The statement comes a day after an Apache Junction police officer resigned for misusing his department's Flock Automated License Plate Reader technology. The Goodyear officer was placed on administrative leave on July 22 after investigators at the Goodyear Police Department audited their Flock system activity on July 21, according to the statement. During their audit, investigators found that there was a potential criminal violation, according to the department's statement. Authorities did not name the officer. The Glendale Police Department was overseeing the criminal investigation. Goodyear Police Department requested an outside law enforcement agency conduct the criminal investigation. The department will continue its investigation into the potential misuse of its Flock system after the Glendale Police Department finishes its investigation. Goodyear Police Department currently operates 33 Flock Automated License Plate Reader cameras. There has been a nationwide outcry against automated license plate readers, especially those made by Flock. Critics have cited lack of transparency, privacy violations, and immigration authorities Leiquesting local partners to conduct searches on its behalf. Tempe stopped participating in Flock's national data sharing program but is still using its license plate readers. Chandler ceased its contract with the company on Aug. 7. https://www.prinffriendly.com/print?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fsouthwest-valley-breaking%2F2026°/02... 1/2 8/17/26, 8:29 AM Another Arizona police officer accused of misusing Flock system "Our auditing process did exactly what it is intended to do. It identified activity that warranted further review, and we acted immediately," Goodyear Police Chief Brian Issitt said in a written statement. Goodyear Police Department released information about its automated license plate reader policies, auditing practices and the ongoing investigation in the interest of transparency, the statement said. This is a developing story. Check back with azcentral.com for updates. David Ulloa Jr covers the Southwest Valley communities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear,_ Litchfield Park and Gila Bend. Reach him at david.ulloa@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Instagram & X, formerly Twitter, @davidulloa_ii. Like this story? Get more West Valley news straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free weeklyWest Valley Newsletter, which comes out on Tuesdays. https://www.printfriendly.com/print?url=http0/03A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fstory%2Fnew0/02Flocal%2Fsouthwest-valley-breaking%2F2026%2... 2/2