March 11, 2026
The following is a statement from the Sherwood Police Department regarding the utilization of the Flock camera system.
The Sherwood Police Department uses the Flock camera system as an investigative tool to enhance public safety. These cameras capture vehicle information such as license plate numbers and vehicle characteristics (make, model, color, and other distinguishing features) that can assist officers when investigating crimes, locating stolen vehicles, or identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity.
The Sherwood Police Department entered into a contract for the Flock system in October 2022, and the first camera was installed in January 2023. The last camera was installed Monday, March 9, 2026. Up until the last camera was installed, no payment had been made to Flock, and they have been operating on a trial basis. When the system first went live in January 2023, officers received both verbal instruction of the process and procedures to follow and hands-on training on how to properly use the system. Training has continued as additional cameras were installed.
With the final camera installed this week, the department is currently reviewing and finalizing the formal written policy governing the system’s use. The policy is being completed, and payment will now begin with the installation phase of the contract being fulfilled.
It is also important to clarify how the system functions. The Flock camera system has two primary uses. The first is real-time alerts. If a vehicle that has been entered into a hot list passes a Flock camera, the system generates a notification that is sent to the law enforcement agency that owns the camera so officers can take appropriate action. The second is historical search capability. If investigators need to review past activity during an investigation, authorized agencies that participate in data sharing can search the system to see when and where a specific vehicle or license plate was detected by Flock cameras within participating jurisdictions. The Flock camera system is not used for traffic enforcement. Even if a camera captures information about a vehicle that could indicate a traffic violation, officers cannot initiate a traffic stop based solely on Flock camera data. An officer must personally witness a traffic violation in order to conduct a traffic stop.
The officer involved in a recent incident involving Flock cameras was newly released from training when the incident occurred and has since received additional training involving the use of the Flock camera system. Up until that time, there were no known instances of the Sherwood Police Department conducting a traffic stop based solely on Flock camera information.
The “traffic” label referenced on the public transparency dashboard does not mean traffic enforcement occurred. Search categories within the system can reflect a variety of investigative contexts, including situations where a vehicle may be associated with a crash investigation, a report involving a roadway incident, or other investigative circumstances involving vehicles.
Like any new technology, the implementation process includes a learning curve as officers become more familiar with the system and its capabilities. Additional training and continued review are part of ensuring the technology is used appropriately and in accordance with applicable laws and departmental standards.
Over the course of the last 3.5 years, this tool has been able to assist the Sherwood Police Department in 23 arrests for various crimes including kidnapping, hit and runs, and drugs. The Sherwood Police Department remains committed to using investigative technology responsibly while maintaining public awareness about how these tools are used to support community safety.
The Sherwood Police Department uses the Flock camera system as an investigative tool to enhance public safety. These cameras capture vehicle information such as license plate numbers and vehicle characteristics (make, model, color, and other distinguishing features) that can assist officers when investigating crimes, locating stolen vehicles, or identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity.
The Sherwood Police Department entered into a contract for the Flock system in October 2022, and the first camera was installed in January 2023. The last camera was installed Monday, March 9, 2026. Up until the last camera was installed, no payment had been made to Flock, and they have been operating on a trial basis. When the system first went live in January 2023, officers received both verbal instruction of the process and procedures to follow and hands-on training on how to properly use the system. Training has continued as additional cameras were installed.
With the final camera installed this week, the department is currently reviewing and finalizing the formal written policy governing the system’s use. The policy is being completed, and payment will now begin with the installation phase of the contract being fulfilled.
It is also important to clarify how the system functions. The Flock camera system has two primary uses. The first is real-time alerts. If a vehicle that has been entered into a hot list passes a Flock camera, the system generates a notification that is sent to the law enforcement agency that owns the camera so officers can take appropriate action. The second is historical search capability. If investigators need to review past activity during an investigation, authorized agencies that participate in data sharing can search the system to see when and where a specific vehicle or license plate was detected by Flock cameras within participating jurisdictions. The Flock camera system is not used for traffic enforcement. Even if a camera captures information about a vehicle that could indicate a traffic violation, officers cannot initiate a traffic stop based solely on Flock camera data. An officer must personally witness a traffic violation in order to conduct a traffic stop.
The officer involved in a recent incident involving Flock cameras was newly released from training when the incident occurred and has since received additional training involving the use of the Flock camera system. Up until that time, there were no known instances of the Sherwood Police Department conducting a traffic stop based solely on Flock camera information.
The “traffic” label referenced on the public transparency dashboard does not mean traffic enforcement occurred. Search categories within the system can reflect a variety of investigative contexts, including situations where a vehicle may be associated with a crash investigation, a report involving a roadway incident, or other investigative circumstances involving vehicles.
Like any new technology, the implementation process includes a learning curve as officers become more familiar with the system and its capabilities. Additional training and continued review are part of ensuring the technology is used appropriately and in accordance with applicable laws and departmental standards.
Over the course of the last 3.5 years, this tool has been able to assist the Sherwood Police Department in 23 arrests for various crimes including kidnapping, hit and runs, and drugs. The Sherwood Police Department remains committed to using investigative technology responsibly while maintaining public awareness about how these tools are used to support community safety.