Documented Incident
Hamilton County, Indiana agencies ran 23,000+ Flock plate searches since January 2023, USA Today data shows
First reported: October 2, 2026 · 2 sources
Law enforcement agencies in Hamilton County, Indiana have conducted more than 23,000 license plate searches using Flock Safety's automated license plate reader system since January 2023, according to data compiled by USA Today. Carmel's police department ranked third and Fishers fifth in search volume among the 291 Indiana agencies in the database. Police departments in Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield told IndyStar that no officers had been suspended or terminated for misusing the technology; the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office did not respond before publication.
The reporting shows how search volumes and internal safeguards vary widely between neighboring departments using the same ALPR network, and comes as Indiana lawmakers say they are weighing statewide rules following misuse allegations elsewhere in the state.
Key facts
- USA Today data counted more than 23,000 plate searches by Hamilton County agencies since January 2023, across a database of 291 Indiana agencies.
- At least seven Indiana officers outside Hamilton County have been accused of abusing ALPR technology, including five IMPD officers facing fraud and misconduct charges; those are allegations, not convictions.
- Carmel's General Order 62 limits data retention to no more than 30 days absent a legal requirement and says ALPR is used only as an investigative lead requiring articulated reasonable suspicion.
- Fishers police recently began requiring a case number, offense type and stated reason before each search.
- All four responding departments — Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield — require audits of searches and restrict use to law enforcement purposes, though their policies otherwise differ.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- HamCo police searched 23,000+ plates with Flock. What safeguards exist? (AOL.com, October 2, 2026)
- HamCo police searched 23,000+ plates with Flock. What safeguards exist? (IndyStar, October 2, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated October 7, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.