Statement Regarding the Use and Regulation of Flock Cameras by MPD
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) supports the use of technology to assist in solving crimes that cause harm to our community. MPD recognizes that technology makes investigations more efficient, and often, allows us to apprehend suspects quicker than traditional investigations, thereby reducing the risk of additional harm to additional people. With that, we recognize that the use of such technology, like Flock technology, comes with great responsibility. These tools must always be used to prevent and reduce harm, not create more.
MPD recognizes that some in our community do not support the use of Flock and we do not dismiss these opinions. MPD acknowledges the harm that former department members have caused that has damaged the trust we work so hard to build. MPD acknowledges the human error that comes with the use of technology and are working tirelessly to reduce error as much as we can. We are working with our City leadership to create robust guardrails to ensure that Flock is used exclusively as a crime solving tool for the benefit of crime victims who have been harmed in our community. To reiterate the Mayor’s statement today:
- Access to Flock technology has been further restricted to supervisors only.
- Access to MPD’s Flock technology will be restricted to MPD only. We will no longer share data access with surrounding jurisdictions.
- The use of Flock technology will be limited to Part I crimes, critical missing persons, drug trafficking organization (DTO) investigations and abductions only. Part I crimes only include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assaults (to include non-fatal shootings), burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson and human trafficking.
MPD will continue to robustly audit its Flock systems.
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NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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