Community oversight committee demands greater accountability of Dallas PD and Flock partnership

On the evening of October 13, 2026, the Community Police Oversight Board met to discuss the use of Flock cameras by the Dallas Police Department. Community members voiced concerns on the use of Flock cameras.

After a presentation by members of the Dallas Police Department (DPD), committee board members voiced additional skepticism about the secure and transparent use of Flock cameras throughout Dallas communities. Presentations by invited experts, Nick Hudson of the American Civil Liberties of Texas (ACLU), Dr. Howard Henderson of the Center for Justice Research, and University of North Texas assistant professor and program coordinator J Eric Coleman provided clarity and context for the conversation.

Representatives for DPD included major of police Anthony Greer, deputy chief Stephen Williams, sergeant of Operational Technology Adam Reinhart, Sergeant Operational Technology, Dallas Police Department and flock safety public affairs manager Ian Leslie.

A theme throughout the night involved community assertions that Flock cameras endanger the trustworthiness of the DPD due to lack of transparency, potentially ineffective equipment and the potential dangers of entering into a surveillance state.

The first citizen speaker of the night, Azel Alvarez, voiced the evening's primary concern. Alvarez shared the story of his discovery that Amarillo police officers tracked his family seventy-six times. He changed his family's location due to worries about the surveillance and possible targeting. While he changed his family's location, the concerns travel with him. He posed the question: "If it happened here, would we even know?"

Alvarez asked for an explanation of accountability to hold the system of Flock camera use accountable to the public. Other community speakers requested the same.

Noeli Estrada referenced police chief Daniel Comeaux's meeting with the Flock CEO Garrett Langley, questioning the department's decision to reverse course on the use of Flock cameras. Estrada requested stronger guardrails for the use of Flock cameras by DPD, streamlined systems of access, independent audits, a review of maps and shorter retention times to reduce "abuse of power".

Currently, the Dallas Police Department retains data from Flock cameras for 365 days.

Community members and board members alike voiced complaints about this retention period. The majority of attendees called for a reduction in the retention period. Many called for a limit to 30 days and referenced Flock's own recent limiting of the retention period to 7 days.

Representatives for the Dallas Police Department confirmed the city retains Flock data for one year, and emphasized their use of camera that take still photos and images. They explained information gained from the Flock database converts only information such as vehicle descriptions, license plate information and a time stamp of when vehicles are spotted. The 365 day retention period enables officers to follow up on new tips as investigations unfold overtime.

Presenters for DPD also emphasized the fact that Dallas neither sells data to private entities nor grants access of Flock information to out-of-state agencies.

The misuse of Flock's system has been reported by other organizations. For example, an officer accessed the system to stalk an ex-partner. DPD's representative said the department grants Flock database access to around 2109 officers, all of whom are trained and authorized.

Further Reading: ALPR Technology

Critiques of DPD points included Julia Simon, of District 13, asserting that lack of guidelines risks data loss if members of the DPD are forced to share Flock through subpoena or warrant when no guardrails exist to guide officers actions.

Other information presented by the Dallas Police Department and Flock include the following facts:

"Choose people over technology," community member McChiael said in reference to the immigration authorities requesting Flock access and to potential fourth amendment rights violations.

Board member Jonathan Maples, Dallas District 2, called for greater accountability and explanation from DPD on the active use of Flock cameras in communities of color.

Board members Julia Simon, Dallas District 13, and Walter Higgins, Dallas District 3, called for additional transparency in communicating the effectiveness and use of Flock ALPR technology.

Community member Alyx Scott shared an anecdote about selective use of Flock Camera. She said DPD refused to use the cameras to help determine who stole her vehicle, and she located her vehicle only after narrowing down its location and consulting a towing company and leasing office agents.

Scott also shared her background with Flock and its origins as surveillance technology for home owner associations.

Stephanie Dranka, of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said the city of Dallas displays a "profound contradiction between claims of being a welcoming city and putting most vulnerable citizen at risk."

Nick Hudson of the ACLU recommended DPD add written requirements protecting access and distribution of Flock data regarding external agencies' access. Hudson also recommended a serious review of the way data retention affects the fourth amendment rights of civically engaged citizens, protesters, undocumented people and activists, etc.

Dr Howard Henderson, another invited expert, pointed out the public trust decreases when the process to use Flock data is explained. To combat this phenomenon, Henderson suggested the city of Dallas provide more transparent evidence on Flock data as a major reductive factor in combatting crime.

On the night of the meeting, the Dallas Police Department could not present definitive proof of Flock cameras as a top 3 "solve factor" in their cases.

J Eric Coleman, the first expert to speak, reiterated the general consensus of board members and the public. He recommended a more detailed explanation of DPD's audit system regarding Flock data, a retention plan to support investigative value without jeopardizing individual privacy, maintaining the human element through officer directed searches and prohibiting personal use of the system.

In their individual presentations, Hudson, Henderson and Coleman each suggested the city of Dallas reference effective models already in use and maintain a transparent report on development once a decision is finalized.

DPD representatives said a dashboard detailing Flock camera information and associated analysis is in process.

Further Reading: October 13 Community Oversight Board Meeting Notes

District board members reiterated their need for DPD and Flock to include city of Dallas representatives in the decision making process concerning ALPR technology and Flock cameras.