Missouri sheriffs are supporting additional safeguards for automated license plate reader systems as debate continues over the use of Flock cameras across the state.
Missouri Sheriffs’ Association President Matt Oller said law enforcement leaders recognize concerns about misuse and support measures to address them.
“It can be misused and we want to make sure to limit the potential for any misuse and to put some teeth into instances where misuse does occur,” Oller said.
The discussion comes after the St. Charles County Police Department stopped using Flock cameras when a former employee allegedly conducted unauthorized searches for personal reasons. In south-central Missouri, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office also plans to discontinue its use of the cameras following privacy concerns raised by residents.
Oller said many sheriffs support limits on how long data collected by automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, can be stored. He said some sheriffs favor requiring vendors to delete information after a set period and ensuring agencies maintain ownership of the data.
“Flock has become synonymous with this whole thing and it’s just really a small portion of it,” Oller said. “But telling these vendors that if you’re going to do business in the state of Missouri, this is the retention. You can’t go beyond 10 days. And the agency that you’re doing business with has to own the information. You don’t get to do anything else with it except provide it to them.”
Southwest Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison has said he would support a temporary ban on the cameras until stronger privacy protections are established.
Despite the concerns, Oller said many sheriffs believe the technology remains a valuable investigative tool in crimes ranging from homicides to missing person cases. He also encouraged residents to learn more about what the systems actually collect.
“We get maybe a decent picture of the back of a vehicle with a license plate affixed to it,” Oller said. “And it tells us nothing more other than the date and time that it drove by. It does not tell us who’s in the car. It doesn’t even tell us if that license plate belongs to that car.”
Oller said Missouri sheriffs generally support stronger safeguards, including data retention limits and tougher penalties for anyone who improperly uses the technology.
Copyright © 2026 · Missourinet