LYNN, Mass. — The Lynn Police Department is changing how officers can access Flock cameras after an audit found a “concerning pattern in searches.”
In fact, many departments are now reviewing how officers are using their own Flock camera systems.
Police Chief Christopher Reddy addressed members of City Council Tuesday night on the policy changes.
It will include conducting mandatory monthly audits, having enhanced access controls, and reducing data retention from 30 days to 7 days.
“We have found this very effective audit assistance tool, and we have used it, and we have demonstrated that we’ll take action and that we’re going to continue to use it and take action. We ran the new tool, we saw the anomalies, we investigated them, and we initiated an internal affairs investigation,” said Chief Reddy.
Back in mid-August, two Lynn Police officers were placed on paid administrative leave after an audit of the department’s Flock cameras identified a pattern of searches that raised concerns.
Other changes to the policy will include a written acknowledgement of the policy requirements by all users, and access will be limited to 23 members of the department who are ranked Lieutenant or higher.
The police department plans to make a transparency portal available on their website to reflect the policy.
It should include what categories of data are triggering alerts so the public can see what information they’re getting from Flock and what organizations they share data with, as data sharing will be limited to Massachusetts law enforcement agencies.
“We are seeking to implement the strongest safeguards in the Commonwealth, and that is why we have significantly limited user access. And to begin with, it will only be members of the Lynn Police Department, and even then, right now it’s only Lieutenants or higher, and any additions to that will only be at the direction of the Chief of Police,” said Reddy.
When used correctly, Flock cameras can provide information about homicides, shootings, stolen vehicles, missing person cases,and more.
The chief said, “Public trust is essential,” and this sends a strong message to personnel that there will be accountability for those who misuse the system.
Three comments stand out:
ReplyDelete1. The chief said, “Public trust is essential,” - You lost the public's trust when you installed these spying devices.
2. this sends a strong message to personnel that there will be accountability for those who misuse the system. Please refer to #3
3. two Lynn Police officers were placed on paid administrative leave - Paid time off is the punishment
Only share dat with mass police agencies... Except flock will allow any police in any jurisdiction to access the data as its on their servers.
DeleteExile1981
Require a search warrant to access any Flock product.
ReplyDeleteExactly. If there is probable cause to initiate a search, then you can get a judge to sign off on a warrant AS REQUIRED BY THE FOURTH AND FIFTH AMENDMENT, otherwise it's just spying on people.
DeleteNemo
It is nice to see they are willing to clean up their unconstitutional searches and seizure of data. As for the trust issue, that has already been decided during covid. The powers that be chose unwisely and suffer the consequences rightfully.
ReplyDelete“ LYNN, Mass. — The Lynn Police Department is changing how officers can access Flock cameras after an audit found a “concerning pattern in searches”
ReplyDeleteFlock gives LEO anytime,anywhere access
Are they going to outsource the audits or hire more officers. Or maybe it's just heads running to shut people up. Oh, the police are watching the police. That always works
ReplyDeleteFlock asserts the following:Customer(not stated who is the customer)"hereby grants to Flock alimited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to (a) use and disclose Customer Data
ReplyDeleteFlock has been offering to sell years worth of data to certain entities. So someone seems to be retaining the data for far longer than they are supposed to.
ReplyDeleteAgencies are voiding Flock contracts and eliminating the cameras.
ReplyDeleteWhat they are not telling you is many of them are signing contracts with Axon for license plate readers which gather more info than Flock cameras. Axon is the same company originally called Taser which provided tasers to law enforcement agencies which gives Axon an inside track.
https://www.axon.com/products/axon-outpost
Not a week goes by in Georgia where there isn't between one and three deputies that are caught "misusing" camera data.
ReplyDelete