MILWAUKEE – On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley issued a directive to County departments and the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to limit Flock camera operations on county property and evaluate and adopt transparency and accountability standards.

“Public safety partners should have the right tools to keep Milwaukee County safe, but unchecked surveillance isn’t the answer,” said County Executive Crowley. “We have seen what can happen when this technology operates without clear rules, transparency, and accountability. Protecting our residents’ privacy and maintaining the public’s trust is a responsibility I take seriously. That is why I am directing all County departments to limit the usage of all Flock camera systems and establish safeguards proactively, before a breach of public trust can occur.”

County Executive Crowley has called on the Office of Corporation Counsel and the Information Management Services Division (IMSD) to evaluate current policy framework governing the use of any surveillance technology and develop binding standards for this technology. Those standards will address what the technology can and cannot be used for, how long data can be kept, who can access it and under what circumstances, and clear limits on when it can be shared, including prohibiting use for federal immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. These standards will also require independent audits and enforceable consequences for misuse.

County Executive Crowley is also calling on municipal leaders throughout Milwaukee County to reevaluate their own use of Flock camera technology and to adopt comprehensive policy frameworks, modeled on the County’s approach, that govern permissible uses, data retention, access, and accountability. A consistent, countywide standard will help ensure that residents are protected from unchecked surveillance no matter where they live, work, or travel within Milwaukee County.

View a copy of the County Executive’s memo here.