The City of Surprise has terminated its partnership with Flock Safety and asked for all related equipment to be removed following an internal investigation into the possible improper use of automated license plate readers.
City officials said the probe began on Aug. 12 when an officer was placed on administrative leave while the department examined an incident involving the camera system. Less than a week later, on Monday, the city announced it had canceled the contract and directed the company to retrieve devices from city property.
What the city said and next steps
The city confirmed the investigation into a potential violation tied to its automated license plate reader program, commonly referred to as ALPR. Officials did not release details about the nature of the alleged misuse or identify the officer involved. The placed-on-leave status will remain in effect while the investigation continues, according to the city's statement.
“The city launched its investigation into a potential violation involving automated license plate readers on Aug. 12, and the officer involved was placed on leave until the investigation is completed.”
Along with the cancellation, the city requested the removal of all Flock equipment installed around Surprise. The decision ends a partnership that officials said had been in place for more than two years and that the city credited with helping solve multiple crimes during that time.
Regional context and privacy concerns
The move in Surprise follows a larger conversation across the Phoenix metropolitan area and nationwide about the use of ALPR technology by police departments. In recent weeks, other Valley agencies have faced pushback over data sharing and potential misuse of camera data.
Tempe police, for example, announced they would stop all data sharing from Flock cameras amid community concerns and reports of misuse in other jurisdictions. Those decisions reflect growing scrutiny over how data collected by private vendors is accessed and used by law enforcement.
Flock Safety's founder and CEO, Garrett Langley, has publicly defended the technology’s investigative value. In an interview with Vanity Fair earlier this month, Langley said the system had the capacity to help in difficult cases. He told the magazine that his technology “could have cracked” the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| City began using ALPR technology | More than two years ago |
| Investigation launched; officer placed on leave | Aug. 12 |
| City canceled Flock contract and requested equipment removal | Monday (announcement) |
What residents should know
Officials have not indicated whether data already collected by the Flock system will be retained, transferred or deleted. The city’s statement emphasizes that the officer remains on leave while the department completes its review.
- Service cancellation: The city has formally ended its contract with Flock Safety and ordered equipment removal.
- Active investigation: The probe began Aug. 12 and concerns alleged improper use of ALPR technology by a department employee.
- Regional reaction: Other Valley law enforcement agencies have recently curtailed or reassessed data sharing from similar systems amid public concerns.
As the situation develops, residents can expect updates from the city and the police department about the investigation’s findings and any policy changes regarding surveillance technology. For now, city leaders have taken the step of severing the contract while officials review the circumstances surrounding the apparent misuse.
More information from local authorities will be crucial to answering questions about how ALPR data was accessed, what safeguards were in place, and how the city will balance public-safety benefits with privacy protections moving forward.
