Flock Safety to cut about 18% of staff after statewide pushback

Flock Safety is planning a sizable round of layoffs, affecting an estimated 18% of its staff, or about 270 workers. The changes are expected to take effect by the end of October, and the company employs roughly 1,500 people in total.

Public concerns about the company’s camera networks, devices that automatically photograph license plates to help law enforcement, have surged in recent months. Critics argue these systems can infringe on privacy by tracking people over time, while supporters say they help solve crimes. Those tensions have translated into concrete moves in several states and cities, with some funding tied to these programs paused or contracts being reconsidered or canceled.

Sources indicate there may also be a voluntary employee buyout option with generous severance packages, though it’s not clear how many workers will take that route. The broader industry is watching to see whether the layoffs slow the spread of these camera networks or simply change how local agencies deploy them.

The situation adds to a growing debate about how police tech is purchased and used, and who bears the cost when public sentiment shifts. These cameras, tied to data-driven policing, have sparked concerns about data retention, access, and oversight.

As with any staffing move, the exact numbers could shift as negotiations with lenders, investors, and the workforce continue. What’s certain is that a technology once pitched as a safety tool has become a political flashpoint, pushing the business side of this market to adapt quickly.