The Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association (TSA) and Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) announced on Thursday that they are working on a framework for “responsible use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR/LPR) technology” amid opposition to the ALPR cameras sold by Flock Safety.
According to a press release from TSA and TACP, the associations are considering model safeguards that would require law enforcement to have a legitimate, documented need to access ALPR cameras, and to treat the images retrieved as “an investigative lead, not evidence of guilt, with human verification required before enforcement action.”
Safeguards to establish how Tennessee sheriffs and police should handle data captured by ALPR cameras, including how long it can be retained before deletion and how the information can be stored, are also under consideration.
TSA and TACP are also considering rules and safeguards around when ALPR data could be shared, how to protect First Amendment activities, and a “meaningful process for public concerns and complaints along with accountability for intentional misuse.”
Robertson County Sheriff Michael Van Dyke, who leads TSA, said that Tennessee law enforcement hoped to establish “proper and transparent” uses for ALPR cameras.
“We strongly support the proper and transparent use of this technology as an investigative tool,” said Van Dyke. “But increasingly capable technology requires equally clear expectations for how it is used, who can access it, and what happens when those expectations are violated.”
TACP Executive Director Sharry Dedman-Beard similarly stated that the safeguards would promote “responsible use of technology that helps protect our communities while maintaining our commitments to constitutional policing.”
Dedman-Beard said, “Public confidence requires clear rules, professional oversight, meaningful audits, and consequences when those rules are violated.”
The effort by TSA and TACP comes amid questions from elected officials in Tennessee about the technology, especially Flock Safety’s cameras.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has called for the Knox County Commission to cease using Flock cameras until the Tennessee General Assembly or U.S. Congress create regulations for the devices, and State Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) has promised legislation will be introduced next year.
U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) has also filed legislation in Congress that some say would effectively ban the controversial cameras nationwide.
A spokesman for Flock Safety recently told The Tennessee Star that its products come with built-in safeguards that can be activated in response to local, state, or federal policies.
– – –
Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Flock Camera” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.
