Documented Incident
Swampscott Police Have No Flock-Specific ALPR Policy as Misuse Investigation Continues
Event: September 4, 2026 · First reported: September 25, 2026 · 2 sources
The Swampscott Tides reviewed department records showing the Swampscott Police Department has no policy specifically governing Flock Safety technology, relying instead on a 2015 ALPR policy reviewed in 2023 that was written for its own cruiser-mounted system, which the department says has been non-functional for roughly five years. On September 4, the department announced it was investigating whether an employee violated department policies or other standards and placed the officer on paid administrative leave. The department said Swampscott does not contract with Flock or host cameras, but that authorized personnel may use Flock readers operated by partner communities, described as being used strictly for active investigations. The specific nature of the alleged misuse has not been disclosed.
The case raises questions about whether written policies keep pace with agencies' access to surveillance networks they do not own, and how oversight applies when officers search another community's Flock system.
Key facts
- Swampscott's existing ALPR policy dates to 2015, was reviewed in 2023, and does not mention Flock Safety.
- An officer was placed on paid administrative leave on September 4 pending an investigation into possible misuse of Lynn's Flock system; no findings have been announced.
- The ACLU of Massachusetts said in July that at least 80 police departments in the state have active Flock contracts.
- Other Massachusetts departments, including Everett, Franklin and Weymouth, have ALPR policies that specifically reference Flock.
- In Stow, Massachusetts, the town is pursuing termination proceedings against Officer Jason Rogers over alleged misuse of Flock cameras and other databases; the article says he could also face criminal charges.
Timeline
- September 25, 2026Records Show Swampscott Police Lack Flock-Specific Policy Amid Misuse Investigation
- October 4, 2026Records Show Swampscott Police Lack Flock-Specific Policy Amid Misuse Investigation
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Records Show Swampscott Police Lack Flock-Specific Policy Amid Misuse Investigation (Swampscott Tides, September 25, 2026)
- Records Show Swampscott Police Lack Flock-Specific Policy Amid Misuse Investigation (Swampscott Tides, October 4, 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 4, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.