CHANDLER, AZ — Chandler is ending its use of Flock automated license plate readers after an audit found unexplained activity involving the system, according to the city.
The city said it will discontinue its use of 40 fixed-camera license plate readers provided by Flock Group and will not renew its service agreement with the company at this time.
Chandler initially said the audit identified an anomaly in how the system was used that could not be explained through standard police activity.
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Chandler said its initial review found no evidence that a resident or member of the public had their privacy compromised.
Chandler PD later said it first became aware of an unusual usage of the Flock system following a routine scheduled audit. During that audit, it was learned the officer whose account was linked to the unusual usage admitted to using the system to "locate an older family member with previous health concerns."
The officer was placed on administrative leave and later submitted their resignation before a formal investigation could take place. Chandler PD says "due to the officer's resignation, we consider this matter to be closed."
Chandler police chief Bryan Chapman says every Chandler police employee has had their access cut off. Now it is on Flock to remove the equipment, a process he says could take time.
For people who have been fighting Flock for months, that is the problem: The cameras may still be running, even as the city walks away.
"I think the incentive for Flock is to keep that data flowing to their database so that they can continue to sell their product to people, and cities cancelling the contract goes against that,” said Michael Oei, a Chandler community member.
"I think everyone is going to have a level of comfort when there are physical barriers over those to show that they are not recording, that is something we are going to have to work with the vendor on and we will go from there,” said Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman.
Chandler Police shared the following with ABC15 Monday:
"Access to all aspects of the Flock system is restricted for all Chandler Police employees. The City is currently working through the legal and purchasing process to determine timeline for physical removal of the camera systems. The idea of putting a physical barrier over the camera is something we would explore if necessary, depending on the removal timeline."
The city plans to strengthen its policies before considering whether to use automated license plate readers again.
The 40 cameras and their poles belong to Flock and will be removed by the company.
ABC15 asked Flock Friday for a timeline and did not get a response. Monday, reporter Molly Hudson asked again when cameras would be covered or taken down, and whether they are even off right now. She did not hear back.
Chandler first began using Flock's license plate readers as part of a pilot program in March 2024, with 14 cameras. The program expanded to 40 cameras in May 2025.
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