Police instructed to conceal Flock ALPR use from suspects and reports

The policy issued for Flock license plate reader cameras in Wapello County, Iowa, tells officers not to disclose the technology’s use. It explicitly states that occupants of a stopped vehicle must not be told about ALPR deployment. Officers are also barred from noting the technology in incident reports unless it is strictly necessary. This represents a shift toward covert operation of the surveillance system.

Adopting this concealment approach requires officers to alter their reporting habits and communication during stops. Training would need to emphasize the non-disclosure rule, adding procedural overhead. If the hidden use is later revealed, any evidence gathered could be challenged in court as improperly obtained. The policy may therefore increase legal liability for the department.

The concealment may fail when defendants or their attorneys discover that ALPR was used without notice, prompting motions to suppress evidence. Public awareness of the policy could erode trust in law enforcement transparency efforts. Courts have previously excluded Stingray-derived data when secrecy was not justified, suggesting a similar outcome here. Thus the tactic’s effectiveness depends on remaining undiscovered.

The directive mirrors earlier police attempts to hide Stingray/IMSI-catcher use, indicating a recurring pattern of avoiding oversight with new surveillance tools. By keeping ALPR use out of reports and conversations, the policy seeks to prevent scrutiny of the technology’s deployment. However, such secrecy runs counter to principles of open policing and accountability. The long-term viability of the approach hinges on whether the hidden use can stay concealed.