Palm Springs Police create citizen oversight board for Flock cameras
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Springs Police Department has created a citizen oversight board to provide more accountability and transparency around the department’s use of surveillance technology, including Flock cameras.
The five-member board includes technology experts and people who have raised concerns about police surveillance. Lieutenant Mike Villegas say they intentionally included people with different perspectives.
“That’s the people that we want because what better group to speak independently aside from the police department that can form their own opinions about how we are using technology and that we’re using it the right way,” said Villegas.
The board’s initial focus will be license plate readers.
“The board is going to be focused on that, how we conduct audits, look at our policies and ways to improve them.”
For critics, questions remain about how much influence the new board will have.
“My concern would be that these committees don’t have any power… if they’re just something that is just being used to appease the public and they’re not going to listen or have any kind of change over policies and especially over the contracts that our police force signs, I think it’s very important,” said resident Elizabeth Humphreys.
Humphreys also says concerns remain about how information collected by Flock cameras is handled and whether it can be shared with other agencies.
“I don’t think there is going to be trust in Flock itself unless the company overhauls its policy…”
Villegas says he understands why some people remain concerned about the technology, especially following reports of misuse by other agencies but says the department is focused on its own policies and what it can do to build transparency and accountability here.
“At the end of the day, people can choose not to agree with us but that’s okay. We’re doing our part in what we can to make sure people understand we are doing it the right way.”
Police plan to introduce the board members to the public in the coming weeks.
Information about the board’s work will also be shared through its meetings and updates posted on the Palm Springs Police Department’s website.
Meanwhile, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has launched weekly “Flock Fridays” to explain how Flock cameras work.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
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