# Flock adds standardized search reasons and case-number requirements for police database access

DevFeed: [Flock adds standardized search reasons and case-number requirements for police database access](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/flock-is-finally-requiring-police-to-have-a-real-reason-before-searching-its-camera-database-59332.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.techspot.com/news/113975-flock-finally-requiring-police-have-real-reason-before.html>)

Author: Skye Jacobs

Published: 2026-09-24T17:10:00Z

Content type: news

Language: en

Sources: [TechSpot](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/techspot.md>)

Topics: [Monitoring](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/monitoring.md>)

Tags: [camera](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/camera.md>), [congress](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/congress.md>), [crime](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/crime.md>), [database](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/database.md>), [flock](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/flock.md>), [industry](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/industry.md>), [law](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/law.md>), [law-enforcement](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/law-enforcement.md>), [monitoring](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/monitoring.md>), [police](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/police.md>), [privacy](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/privacy.md>), [searching](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/searching.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [surveillance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/surveillance.md>)

## AI overview

Flock Safety is changing access controls for its license plate camera database amid concerns about privacy, accuracy, and misuse. The company replaced an open-text justification field with standardized categories and plans to require case numbers for searches, with emergency exceptions. It has also introduced tools to flag unusual activity and is developing an automatic lockout feature.

## Source excerpt

Until recently, users were required to explain why they were conducting a search by typing into an open text field. Flock said those entries were not always specific enough. The company has replaced the field with a drop-down menu of standardized categories based on the FBI's crime-reporting system. Read Entire Article