Documented Incident
Milwaukee mayor, police chief agree to new limits on MPD's use of Flock license plate readers
Event: August 31, 2026 · First reported: August 31, 2026 · 4 sources
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced on August 31, 2026 that he, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Fire and Police Commission Executive Director Leon Todd had agreed to changes in how the Milwaukee Police Department uses Flock automated license plate readers. The revised policy would limit Flock data access to MPD supervisors, restrict searches to Part 1 or violent crimes, drug trafficking, and missing persons or abduction cases, require regular independent audits, and create a public dashboard on the department's use of the system. An MPD spokesperson told WTMJ the changes do not need Fire and Police Commission approval; the effective date was not stated.
The agreement follows documented misuse of the system by MPD personnel and shows a city attempting to keep an ALPR program while adding access limits, audits and public reporting — an approach other communities weighing cancellation versus reform may look to.
Key facts
- Announced August 31, 2026 by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, with agreement from Chief Jeffrey Norman and FPC Executive Director Leon Todd.
- Changes include supervisor-only data access, use limited to Part 1/violent crimes, drug trafficking and missing person or abduction cases, independent audits, and a public dashboard.
- A former MPD officer was convicted of using the cameras to surveil a former romantic partner, and two MPD staffers were investigated over alleged system abuse.
- Milwaukee Police Association President Alexander Ayala said the city's response distinguishes misuse from legitimate use by rule-following officers.
- Appleton, Oshkosh and Sturgeon Bay have canceled Flock contracts; Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic led an August 25 letter from Common Council members seeking more oversight.
Timeline
- August 31, 2026Milwaukee Police, mayor agree on changes to new Flock camera usage policy
- September 1, 2026Milwaukee mayor announces overhaul of Flock camera use following misuse cases
- September 1, 2026Milwaukee residents weigh privacy, safety as mayor announces changes to police Flock camera policies
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Milwaukee Police, mayor agree on changes to new Flock camera usage policy (WTMJ, August 31, 2026)
- Flock policy , Milwaukee police agree to changes ; what we know (fox6now.com, August 31, 2026)
- Milwaukee mayor announces overhaul of Flock camera use following misuse cases (Wisn 12 News, September 1, 2026)
- Milwaukee residents weigh privacy, safety as mayor announces changes to police Flock camera policies (TMJ4 News, September 1, 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 September 8, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.