2 MPD officers charged with misusing Flock cameras; Chief Norman says he stands by surveillance system
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — CBS 58 sat down with Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman after a second officer in the department was charged with misusing Flock cameras.
"First feeling is disappointment, knowing the type of scrutiny and expectation from the public, also the particular position this particular individual had," said Chief Norman.
The first officer, Josue Ayala, pleaded guilty in June. Now Detective Tehrangi Chapman, who investigated Ayala, is also charged with misusing the same system.
"This is a situation where I guess it worked out where the individual who was being investigated, the investigator, unfortunately was involved in the same unfortunate behavior," said Chief Norman.
Flock uses artificial intelligence to take pictures of license plates and alert law enforcement to their whereabouts.
Jon McCray Jones with the ACLU of Wisconsin says cases like these are happening across the country, which is causing concerns over the use of these surveillance systems by law enforcement.
"The issue isn't just about one officer anymore, it's about whether the systems that are supposed to detect and prevent abuse are actually working," said Jones.
Chief Norman says the two incidents happened within the same time frame, and now there is a more robust internal audit of the system. The department also decreased who has access.
CBS 58 asked if Chief Norman thinks the pros of the Flock system outweigh the cons, and he said absolutely. He says the system allows police to track down suspects more quickly, which can be critical in investigations.
As for residents who are concerned about their privacy with the use of Flock cameras?
"We take it very serious," said Chief Norman. "That we understand this is a huge responsibility, that we need to make sure that we are being transparent and that we own when we make those mistakes."
Moving forward, to protect people's privacy and safety, Jones says additional restrictions and regulations on access should be put in place.
"I think the best thing we can do for the community's safety and officers' safety is not to put that responsibility on officers to make that right choice every single day, to not abuse these technologies against innocent people and create statewide guardrails or at least local guardrails," said Jones.
Right now, MPD has more than 30 Flock cameras. CBS 58 asked the chief if he would consider adding more moving forward, and he said it's not off the table, but right now they are working with what they have.