Chandler police end Flock camera partnership after potential misuse

The Chandler Police Department is discontinuing its partnership with the AI license plate camera company Flock.

This decision comes after an internal audit revealed potential misuse of the software by a department employee.

It also comes after public outcry in previous council meetings.

Politics

Chandler City Council says recent Flock camera installations were approved in February

Taylor Griffith

The Chandler City Council is currently weighing whether or not to end its contract with the surveillance technology company, Flock Safety. Until then, 40 cameras with automated license plate readers remain in operation across the city.

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Flock cameras work by using AI to capture license plates and car details that assist in police investigations.

“Flock is well aware of our intention to sunset those," said Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman. "That could look like taking them down, placing hoods over them. I think everybody's going to have a level of comfort when there are physical barriers over those cameras to show that they're not recording. ”

Chapman says ending Flock camera use may impact future investigations.

"We would be significantly behind the curve in trying to find and address some of these issues. So, certainly, this slows down our investigative capacities," Chapman said.

Chapman also says he is still a supporter of the technology’s use in police investigations.

He says the removal of remaining cameras is the responsibility of the company, and the city no longer has access.

This decision comes ahead of City Council discussion about the technology later this month.