Documented Incident
New Bedford police temporarily suspend Flock Safety use pending internal review
First reported: August 11, 2026 · 5 sources
New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody announced a temporary suspension of the department's use of Flock Safety technology while the agency reviews how the system has been used since it was acquired in 2024, before Thody's tenure. The department said recent technology audits led to internal investigations, and that one officer has been placed on administrative leave; those investigations remain active and no additional details were released. The review will examine Flock's role in past criminal investigations and involve elected officials and the public in developing policies, after which the department says it will decide whether and how to continue using the technology.
A police-initiated pause tied to audit findings shows that internal review processes can surface questions about how automated license plate reader data is accessed and shared, and the outcome may inform how other departments structure oversight of similar systems.
Key facts
- New Bedford acquired Flock Safety technology in 2024, prior to Chief Jason Thody's tenure.
- The suspension is described as temporary and was set to take effect the week of the announcement.
- Recent technology audits prompted internal investigations; one officer was placed on administrative leave.
- Thody said the technology raises questions about privacy, access, information sharing, and oversight.
- No findings have been announced, and the department said it will release more information after the review.
Timeline
- August 11, 2026New Bedford Police Announce Temporary Suspension of Flock Safety Technology
- August 11, 2026Chief Thody Orders Full Review and Temporary Shutdown of New Bedford Flock Cameras
- August 11, 2026New Bedford Police Department temporarily suspending use of Flock cameras
- August 12, 2026New Bedford temporarily suspends use of Flock as the surveillance cameras come under increased scrutiny
- August 11, 2026New Bedford police to temporarily suspend use of Flock technology; Officer placed on leave
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- New Bedford Police Announce Temporary Suspension of Flock Safety Technology (New Bedford Guide, August 11, 2026)
- Chief Thody Orders Full Review and Temporary Shutdown of New Bedford Flock Cameras (FUN 107, August 11, 2026)
- New Bedford Police Department temporarily suspending use of Flock cameras (The New Bedford Light, August 11, 2026)
- New Bedford temporarily suspends use of Flock as the surveillance cameras come under increased scrutiny (Boston.com, August 12, 2026)
- New Bedford police to temporarily suspend use of Flock technology; Officer placed on leave (WJAR, August 11, 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 16, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.