COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson is urging state lawmakers to enact strict criminal penalties for law enforcement officers who misuse Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology.
In an official statement released today, Wilson defended the widespread utility of the technology in tracking violent criminals and locating missing children, while acknowledging recent incidents of officer misconduct that have sparked public concern.
To curb future abuse, the Attorney General recommended that the Ohio General Assembly criminalize the improper use of Flock cameras, suggesting penalties equivalent to those already in place for other law enforcement databases.
A Key Investigative Tool Wilson characterized license plate readers as essential identification tools rather than surveillance equipment. Drawing comparisons to body-worn cameras and gunshot detection systems, he praised Flock as “one of the most valuable tools I have seen in my career,” noting that it has directly aided in solving thousands of cases across the state.
“Technology expands peace officers’ reach and helps protect communities, even when an officer is not present,” Wilson said, emphasizing that law enforcement has a responsibility to leverage modern advancements to enhance public safety.
Internal Auditing and Misconduct Addressing recent media reports highlighting officers who abused access to the system, Wilson stressed that such incidents remain rare and were actively uncovered by police departments themselves through routine internal audits.
“By and large, Flock is used appropriately and effectively to accomplish a great deal of good,” Wilson stated. “But, like any other high-tech tool that law enforcement depends on, it is only as effective as the person operating it and interpreting the data.”
Proposed Legislation To ensure accountability, Wilson called on state legislators to establish severe legal consequences for any unauthorized access or tracking.
Specifically, he proposed using the state’s existing standards for the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG) as a baseline. Under current Ohio law, improper use of OHLEG is classified as a fifth-degree felony, which carries mandatory revocation of an officer’s badge upon conviction.
“Ohio can – and should – leverage technology that assists law enforcement,” Wilson concluded. “We must do so carefully. And misuse must not be tolerated.”
