The Raleigh Police Department modified its automated license plate reader database to display only active accounts following internal audits and media inquiries, according to reports by WRAL Investigates. The adjustment addresses discrepancies found in internal reviews from April and May, which revealed that a system counting over 400 active users of the Flock safety technology included several individuals no longer employed by the agency.
Audit Findings and System Adjustments
Internal audits conducted by the Raleigh Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards flagged that former employees remained listed among active users within the Flock automated license plate reader platform. According to an agency spokesperson cited by WRAL, the software maintained both current and deactivated accounts for record-keeping and oversight purposes. In response to the findings, the department altered how user numbers are displayed to list strictly active accounts. Agency records confirmed that the former employees did not access the system after leaving the department.
Security Protocols and Multi-Factor Authentication
To prevent unauthorized access, the Raleigh Police Department requires personnel to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to log into the Flock system. According to WRAL, the agency began incorporating MFA into its log-in process in December 2025, predating by eight months a mandate issued by Flock requiring all client agencies to adopt the security layer. Flock deployed additional security features, including MFA and a suggested seven-day video storage guideline, in August.
User Access and Data Retention Policies
The agency’s active Flock user base exceeds 400 accounts, comprising administrators, investigators, and patrol officers. An agency spokesperson told WRAL that maintaining active access for these personnel ensures staff can enter the system immediately during urgent incidents without requesting access beforehand. While vendor guidelines suggest a seven-day retention window, the Raleigh Police Department retains recorded video for 30 days, preserving specific files in accordance with departmental policy and applicable law when required for criminal investigations.
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