OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO)has launched a new online transparency portal detailing how it uses automated license plate reader technology and the safeguards in place to protect the public.
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The Flock Safety Transparency Portal is a public-facing webpage designed to provide insight into the agency’s use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, the OCSO has announced.
“Our goal is to protect our community while being fully transparent about the tools we use,” said Sheriff Eric Aden.
“This portal gives citizens direct access to information about how our license plate reader technology works, how it’s monitored, and the safeguards in place to ensure it is used appropriately.”
According to the OCSO, the portal outlines the policies, oversight measures, and accountability standards governing the use of the technology.
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Information available on the site includes documentation explaining how license plate reader cameras are used in criminal investigations.
The portal also includes audit logs showing when and why data is accessed, details on which authorized agencies may access information, and an explanation of camera capabilities.
According to the OCSO, the cameras detect license plates and vehicle characteristics such as make, model, and color. The agency said the system does not use facial recognition technology.
The site further explains how long data is retained before deletion under the agency’s data retention policies.
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Flock Safety cameras are used by law enforcement to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity, locate stolen vehicles, and advance investigations in a timely manner, according to the OCSO.
Sheriff Aden also released a video statement alongside the launch outlining the agency’s commitment to responsible technology use.
The transparency portal and the agency’s General Order, which covers guidelines, training, and evidence retention, are available on the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office website.
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