09/03/2026
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office recognizes that community members have questions about the Flock Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras being used throughout the county. I believe it is important for residents to have accurate information about how this technology works, how it is used, and the safeguards that are in place to protect privacy.
As Sheriff, part of my commitment to public transparency is ensuring that citizens have access to accurate information about the tools and technologies their Sheriff's Office uses. This release is intended to answer common questions, explain how the system operates, and provide clarity about the safeguards that govern its use.
The Flock camera system was not purchased with local taxpayer dollars or from opioid settlement monies. The cameras were funded through forfeiture funds, which are monies seized through illegal drug-related activity and reinvested into public safety initiatives.
These cameras are designed to assist law enforcement in specific investigations and public safety efforts. They can help:
* Locate missing or endangered persons. (If the missing or endangered person leaves in a vehicle or are kidnapped and law enforcement has the vehicle information, the license plate is entered and if it passes a camera we recieve an alert.)
* Assist in AMBER Alerts and child abduction cases
* Identify vehicles connected to drug trafficking and other serious crimes
* Recover stolen vehicles
* Locate wanted individuals
* Develop investigative leads in burglaries, thefts, and other criminal investigations
What the Cameras Do Not Do
Flock ALPR cameras have limitations that are important for the public to understand. They:
* Do not record voices or conversations
* Do not use facial recognition technology
* Do not identify drivers or passengers
* Do not access cell phones or personal information
* Do not detect vehicle speed
* Do not issue traffic citations
* Do not monitor people inside vehicles
* Are not continuously monitored by deputies
* Do not independently establish guilt or probable cause
* Does not access telephone records, text messages, internet activity, social media accounts, or information stored on personal electronic devices.
* Does not establish guilt and does not automatically justify a traffic stop, search, or arrest. Alerts must be reviewed and verified by a deputy, and any enforcement action must be based on the appropriate legal standards and investigative work.
The cameras collect limited vehicle-related information, including a publicly displayed license plate, vehicle characteristics, direction of travel, location, date, and time. Any alert generated by the system must be reviewed and verified by a deputy. The information provided by the system is only one part of an investigation, and deputies must continue to follow all legal requirements and establish probable cause when required.
Additional Facts About ALPR Technology
Automated License Plate Reader technology is not new. ALPR systems have been used by law enforcement agencies across the United States for more than two decades and are now a common investigative tool used by local, state, and federal agencies to locate missing persons, recover stolen vehicles, identify suspect vehicles, and support criminal investigations.
License plate reader technology is also used in many non-law enforcement settings, including toll facilities, parking garages, secured entrances, commercial properties, and other locations where vehicle access and identification are important.
Oversight and Accountability
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office maintains written policies governing the use of the system. Searches must be conducted for a legitimate law enforcement purpose, and all system activity is logged and auditable.
Access to the system is limited to a small number of authorized personnel who have received training on its proper use. Not every deputy has the ability to access, search, or enter information into the platform. User activity is recorded and subject to review to help ensure compliance with agency policy and applicable laws.
The system is not intended to monitor the daily movements of law-abiding citizens. Rather, it is a targeted investigative tool designed to help law enforcement identify vehicles associated with criminal investigations, locate people in danger, and respond more effectively to public safety threats.
Commitment to Public Safety, Privacy, and Transparency
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is committed to protecting public safety while respecting the privacy and constitutional rights of the people we serve. We understand that questions often arise when technology is introduced, and we welcome those conversations.
Transparency is an important part of maintaining public trust. We believe residents deserve clear information about the tools used by their Sheriff's Office, the policies that govern those tools, and the safeguards in place to ensure they are used appropriately.
Our goal is to use proven investigative tools responsibly, transparently, and with appropriate oversight to help locate missing persons, recover stolen vehicles, identify those involved in serious criminal activity, and keep our communities safe. At the same time, we remain committed to accountability, safeguarding individual privacy, and maintaining the trust that our residents place in their Sheriff's Office each day.
Sheriff Mike Dougherty
