El Dorado Citizens Demand Immediate Suspension of EDPD’s Flock Access Pending Full Audit and Investigation

For more than a year, the El Dorado Police Department operated the license plate reader (LPR) Flock Safety surveillance system without a written policy, without oversight, and without any governing rules to protect the public. Internal communications confirm that during the period when searches were being conducted, no Flock policy existed within the department. This meant officers were using a powerful civilian‑tracking system with no restrictions, no accountability, and no compliance safeguards in place.

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Within that policy vacuum, improper use occurred repeatedly. One license plate was searched 28 times in nine days. Another search stretched across more than 6,186 networks. A separate search hit 79 networks without a case number or lawful justification. These actions violated the permitted‑purpose requirement that strictly limits Flock searches to legitimate investigative needs. Department findings even stated that several searches were “not proper” and “not within the intent” of the Flock system.

When concerns were raised about who controlled the system, the department attempted to disclaim responsibility. However, documented evidence shows that EDPD staff performed full administrative functions. They added personnel as system Admins, coordinated installation, attended Flock’s kickoff and mapping meetings, received daily system deployment reports, reviewed images, and conducted searches. The claim that the department did not control the system is contradicted by the department’s own actions.

The situation escalated when a legal investigator submitted lawful FOIA requests. Instead of complying, a lieutenant sent a message threatening potential arrest if the investigator continued requesting records. This was retaliation for lawful transparency efforts and incompatible with Flock’s expectations for partner agencies.

These violations are not minor or technical. They represent a complete failure of oversight, policy, accuracy, good faith, administrative control, and transparency. They mirror or exceed the conditions under which Flock Safety has previously suspended access for other agencies.

The documented record shows:

• Operation of a surveillance system for over a year without the required written policy • Improper and unjustified searches across thousands of networks • False statements about data control and system administration • Retaliation against lawful FOIA enforcement • Governance failures that undermine trust and system integrity

The severity and consistency of these violations leave only one responsible course of action.

EDPD’s access to the Flock system must be immediately suspended pending a full audit and thorough investigation. Suspension is necessary to prevent further misuse, preserve the integrity of evidence, and ensure that investigators can conduct an unbiased and complete review of all activity. EDPD should not regain access unless and until the audit verifies full compliance with policy, accuracy requirements, permitted‑purpose rules, transparency standards, and administrative controls.

This action protects the public, protects the system, and ensures accountability is carried out without obstruction.

ALL Power to The People.