Milwaukee Police Department Limits Access to License Plate Reader Database Amid Misuse Scandal

• •MPD has cut access to its ALPR database for most officers amid misuse allegations.
• •Former officer Josue Ayala was charged for tracking his partner using ALPR data 179 times.
• •Nationwide, at least 14 cases of ALPR misuse by police have been reported since 2024.

The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) has restricted access to its automated license plate reader (ALPR) database for most officers following allegations of misuse. This decision comes after former officer Josue Ayala was charged with attempted misconduct for using the Flock Safety surveillance database 179 times to track his romantic partner and their ex. The MPD previously had around 600 officers with access to the database, which includes 31 cameras across Milwaukee. Currently, only officers in sensitive positions within the Criminal Investigation Bureau can access the system in emergencies. The department is reviewing access policies and will require officers to sign agreements regarding appropriate use. Concerns about privacy and potential abuse of surveillance technology have prompted broader discussions about the use of ALPR systems nationwide. An Institute for Justice review identified at least 14 cases of police officers misusing ALPR data for personal reasons since 2024.