Missouri Governor signs automated license plate reader executive order
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has ordered new restrictions on automated license plate readers, including Flock Safety cameras used by police departments across the state.
The executive order requires state agencies and local law enforcement agencies receiving state funding to delete most license plate and vehicle data within 30 days. Information can be kept longer when tied to an active criminal investigation, missing person case or other life-safety emergency.
The order also limits searches to legitimate criminal justice or lifesaving purposes, requires users to provide identifying information and a case number or law enforcement justification, and prohibits adding facial recognition technology to the systems.
Misuse for personal reasons, stalking or unauthorized sharing could result in disciplinary action, criminal referral and a report to the Missouri Department of Public Safety for possible action against an officer’s license.
The issue has particular relevance in Joplin. Earlier this year, Joplin police said an officer was no longer employed after an internal investigation found the officer improperly used the department’s Flock license plate reader system. Joplin police later added additional auditing and oversight requirements.
Kehoe’s order does not eliminate the cameras. Instead, it establishes minimum safeguards while state officials and lawmakers consider permanent regulations.
Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson praised the governor’s action Wednesday but said lawmakers should go further by putting permanent protections into state law.
Patterson said the goal should be allowing police to use the technology while preventing information collected on law-abiding Missourians from being retained, sold, shared or misused. He also called for accountability and penalties for people who abuse the technology.
