Battle Creek Police Detail Flock Camera Rules and Transparency Plan

Battle Creek Police Department leaders explained how the city uses Flock license-plate cameras during the City Commission meeting on November 10th, 2026.

Chief Shannon Bagley and Capt. Jim Martin said the cameras record a vehicle’s license plate, make, model, color and other distinguishing characteristics at a specific time and place.

They said the system does not use facial recognition, identify drivers or passengers, record audio, monitor cellphones or create a continuous travel history.

According to the department, officers must complete formal training before using the system, and every search must have a documented law-enforcement purpose. Access is role-based, and supervisors can review searches.

The city’s written public safety video surveillance policy provides additional rules for camera use, access, retention and audits.

Police described several cases in which Flock alerts or searches helped investigators, including locating an out-of-state homicide suspect and advancing hit-and-run and sexual-assault investigations.

Residents also raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, including worries about “Big Brother” surveillance and data sharing with other agencies.

Police said a public transparency portal is expected before the end of November 2026. The portal is planned to show the city’s camera count, its 30-day data-retention period, the number of internal searches during the previous 30 days and which agencies can access shared data.

Flock Safety’s compliance tools explain how agencies can publish policies, usage statistics and access rules in public-facing portals. Residents can also review meeting materials through the city’s CivicClerk agenda portal.

The new portal will give residents a way to compare the department’s stated safeguards with actual usage figures as they are published.

What information do Battle Creek’s Flock cameras capture?

The cameras capture license plates and vehicle details such as make, model, color and distinguishing features at a specific time and location.

How long does Battle Creek retain Flock camera data?

Police said the city retains the data for 30 days.

When will Battle Creek’s Flock transparency portal launch?

Police said the portal is expected to be available before the end of November 2026.