Effective August 17, 2026, the Indianola Police Department is suspending its use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology.
The Department has used ALPR as an investigative tool to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity and to locate vehicles or individuals connected to public safety incidents. The technology has assisted Indianola officers with locating missing persons, identifying and arresting violent offenders, investigating hit-and-run collisions, recovering stolen vehicles, and developing leads in serious criminal cases, including a violent crime investigation that resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.
As the use of this technology has expanded across Iowa and the country, so has the conversation surrounding privacy, data retention, data sharing, and the safeguards that should accompany its use. Those are fair questions, and they deserve thoughtful consideration. Choosing to suspend the program despite its investigative value reflects the importance the Department places on maintaining the confidence of the community it serves.
“We ask our community to trust us with a great deal of responsibility, and we don’t take that trust for granted,” said Police Chief Rob Hawkins. “This technology has helped our officers solve serious cases and has proven its value. We also recognize the concerns that come with it. Suspending its use gives us an opportunity to listen, evaluate those concerns, and ensure that if we move forward in the future, we are doing so in a way our community can have confidence in.”
What the suspension means
- Indianola’s 8 ALPR cameras are deactivated as of August 17, 2026, and are no longer collecting data.
- Access to Indianola’s ALPR data by outside agencies has been disabled
- Previously collected data is handled under the Department’s records retention obligations. Data not connected to an active investigation or a legal hold purges on the standard 30-day cycle.
- Cameras will remain in place during the suspension pending coordination with vendor
- The annual cost of the program was approximately $24,000.
The timing also allows the Department to follow the 2027 Iowa legislative session, where the regulation of automated license plate reader technology is expected to receive further consideration. Statewide standards could provide greater consistency for law enforcement agencies and the public on access, retention, data sharing, oversight, and accountability.
During the suspension, Indianola officers and investigators will continue to rely on investigative work, partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, information provided by the public, and other lawful investigative resources to solve crimes and protect the community.
Any decision to resume the program will be brought forward publicly.
Technology will continue to change the way law enforcement serves its communities. The Department’s responsibility is to make sure the way it uses that technology reflects both its public safety mission and the expectations of the people it serves.
Source: Indianola Police Department Facebook page.
