Documented Incident
Wapello County, Iowa ALPR policy instructs deputies not to disclose Flock camera use
First reported: August 20, 2026 · 1 source
A usage policy governing Flock automated license plate reader cameras in Wapello County, Iowa instructs officers not to tell vehicle occupants that ALPR technology was involved, and to avoid referencing ALPR use in reports or complaints unless absolutely necessary. The policy language was highlighted in commentary published on Schneier on Security and reindexed by IT Security News. The full scope of the policy, who authored it, and how consistently it has been applied are not detailed in the coverage.
Written instructions to omit a surveillance tool from police reports raise questions about whether defendants and courts can evaluate how evidence was obtained, an issue previously litigated over cell-site simulators.
Key facts
- The policy document states: "DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE."
- It further directs officers not to mention ALPR use in a report or complaint "unless absolutely necessary."
- The policy applies to Flock license plate reader cameras in Wapello County, Iowa.
- Commentator Bruce Schneier compared the practice to past police efforts to conceal IMSI-catcher (Stingray) use.
- No agency response, legal challenge, or review of the policy is described in the available coverage.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Police Are Hiding Their Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras (It Security News, August 20, 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 August 21, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.