Police policy instructs officers to conceal use of automated license plate readers in Wapello County, Iowa
Internal guidance bars officers from mentioning ALPR technology in reports or to vehicle occupants, drawing parallels to historical secrecy around Stingray devices.
2 sources · cross-referenced
- A Wapello County, Iowa policy directs officers to avoid disclosing the use of Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in reports or to vehicle occupants.
- The policy instructs: 'DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE' and 'DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE IN YOUR REPORT OR COMPLAINT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.'
- The secrecy measures echo past practices around IMSI-catchers like Stingray devices, which police historically sought to conceal.
A usage policy for Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in Wapello County, Iowa, instructs officers to avoid disclosing the technology’s use in interactions with the public and in official reports.
The policy explicitly states: 'DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE' and 'DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE IN YOUR REPORT OR COMPLAINT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.'
The secrecy directives are compared by commentators to historical practices around IMSI-catcher devices, such as the Stingray, which police agencies previously sought to conceal from courts and the public.
The policy was obtained via public records request by 404 Media, which reported on the document’s existence and contents.
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