LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Lubbock Police Department defended its use of Flock cameras during a presentation to city council Tuesday afternoon. Council members questioned Police Chief Seth Herman about how the cameras are used and who has access to the photos.
The City of Lubbock entered into a two-year agreement with Flock last year to place automated license plate readers throughout the city. There are 12 fixed cameras, with two currently needing repairs. Six mobile flex cameras can be moved by police to high-traffic areas, and six more are awaiting TxDOT approval for installation.
Chief Herman said the cameras are not a new technology.
“These systems have been around since 1976, just so everyone’s clear,” Herman said.
Herman told council members Flock cameras only take still photos, not video or audio. Flock currently keeps those photos for 30 days, but Herman said that will soon move to seven days.
“Quite frankly, we don’t have the time nor inclination to follow you around. I really don’t care if you go to the store on what time. We’re looking for criminals. We’re looking to put criminals in jail, suppress crime, and decrease victimization, that’s it, one hundred percent,” Herman said.
Search requirements and oversight
Herman said there has to be a connection with criminal activity for police officers to use the cameras. Investigators have searched the Flock system more than 37,000 times so far this year, though the chief said many of those are multiple searches for the same incident.
LPD data shows some of the top uses are for stolen vehicles, wanted persons and theft. Herman said officers are required to input several pieces of information before setting up a search.
“We have yet to encounter an event where an officer used this system nefariously or outside of the boundaries of our policies and procedures or state law. However, if we did, it would require not only an internal investigation, but also one at a criminal level,” Herman said.
Herman said the system automatically tracks unusual activity, and LPD audits those anomalies every six months, a frequency he said will likely increase.
Council members raise questions
Councilmember Harris asked whether the system sends information back if someone is driving without a driver’s license, without insurance, or has prior tickets. Herman said those are not reasons an officer would use the system.
Councilmember Wilson asked whether Flock, the company behind the cameras, has access to the city’s information. Herman said Flock stores that information but does not have access to it.
Councilmember Green said he’s concerned about the cameras’ constitutionality.
“Any lower court decisions that ruled in favor of this type of program and ruled against this type of program?” Green said.
“My understanding is that the government currently views it as if you could put an officer at that intersection to monitor traffic, then you can put a camera,” Herman said.
Mayor, council members react
Mayor Mark McBrayer said the chief’s presentation gave him “quite a bit of confidence.”
“I know there are a lot of concerns out there among people, but…all of our Fourth Amendment protections against search and seizure…the law, the Constitution, is we’re protected against unreasonable search and seizure. Not against any or all,” McBrayer said.
Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Wilson had some concerns, but thanked the chief for all the department does to protect its citizens.
“But I can tell you as a mama of two girls, if something was ever to happen to them, I hope you use every tool at your disposal to find my babies,” Wilson said.
Councilmember Christy Martinez-Garcia raised concerns about liability.
“Please always be mindful of these cameras and the liability that it could create for all of us,” Martinez-Garcia said.
Herman said it is the department’s top priority to ensure there is no misuse of the system, saying crime would increase without it.
“Without these cameras and technology similar to that, we’re gonna need a heck of a lot more officers. I’ll just be honest with you,” Herman said.
Data sharing agreements
The department’s transparency portal lists several agreements LPD has with other law enforcement agencies across the state that can access photos taken by Flock cameras in Lubbock. That list does not include Customs and Border Protection. The information is available on LPD’s website under Crime and Safety.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.