San Jose Police Chief Proposes Flock Camera Usage Changes

Recommendations include reduced data retention and limits on federal agency access.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph is proposing a series of changes to the city's use of Flock license plate reading cameras, including reducing data retention from one year to 30 days and prohibiting federal agency access to the camera data. The proposal comes after community groups announced plans to sue the city over the controversial surveillance technology.

Why it matters

The use of Flock cameras has sparked concerns from civil liberties groups about privacy and potential misuse, especially by federal immigration authorities. Chief Joseph's proposed changes aim to address these concerns and build more community trust in the police department's use of the technology.

The details

Chief Joseph's proposal includes banning Flock cameras near churches, hospitals, clinics, and other prohibited areas, as well as preventing federal agencies from accessing the city's Flock camera data. Community groups like SIREN are recommending even stricter safeguards, such as requiring a judicial warrant for data searches and limiting data retention to just 10 days. While Joseph could implement some changes on his own, he wants the city council to formally adopt the proposal so future police chiefs would need council approval to modify the rules.

  • The proposal is currently being considered by the San Jose City Council.
  • Community groups recently announced plans to sue the city over its use of Flock cameras.

The players

Paul Joseph

San Jose Police Chief who is proposing changes to the city's use of Flock license plate reading cameras.

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN)

A community group that is recommending stricter safeguards on the use of Flock cameras, including requiring a judicial warrant for data searches and limiting data retention to 10 days.

Center for American Islamic Relations (CAIR)

One of the civil liberties groups that has joined SIREN in filing a lawsuit against the city over its use of Flock cameras.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Another civil liberties group that has joined the lawsuit against San Jose over Flock cameras.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

A civil liberties organization that has also joined the lawsuit against San Jose's use of Flock cameras.

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What they’re saying

“We know we need community acceptance for what we do. We only are as strong as our relationship with the community. So if a few safeguards can help us build that trust that we've been working so hard to build, then I think it's a win-win for everybody.”

— Paul Joseph, San Jose Police Chief (nbcbayarea.com)

“No matter how perfect a policy is, the federal government has proven that there are no boundaries to their lawless and violent propaganda in our communities.”

— Kimberly Woo, SIREN (nbcbayarea.com)

What’s next

The San Jose City Council will consider Chief Joseph's proposal and decide whether to formally adopt the changes to the city's Flock camera usage policies.

The takeaway

The debate over Flock cameras in San Jose highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement's use of surveillance technology and community concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and potential misuse. Chief Joseph's proposed changes aim to strike a balance, but civil liberties groups are pushing for even stricter safeguards.