Columbus pauses Flock license-plate-reader program after alleged misuse

Columbus has paused collection of new data from its Flock automatic license-plate readers after police identified alleged misuse by an officer, putting the city’s surveillance program under review as its contract approaches expiration.

Mayor Andrew Ginther and Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the suspension on September 3, 2026. Officer Melvin Tellis was relieved of duty pending an investigation. Local reporting said Tellis allegedly searched the same vehicle’s plates hundreds of times; officials have not identified the vehicle’s owner or disclosed what relationship, if any, the person had to Tellis.

What the pause means

Columbus is not collecting new Flock camera data during the review. The city has not announced an end date for the pause, and the program has not been permanently ended.

Ginther directed police to conduct a full audit of current and past use of the technology. The review is expected to examine how officers used the system and whether additional misuse occurred.

The alleged conduct remains under investigation. Tellis has been relieved of duty, but officials have not announced a final disciplinary finding.

Contract deadline adds pressure

Columbus has 65 Flock cameras, according to local reporting. The city also canceled plans to install 11 additional cameras.

The city’s contract with Flock is scheduled to expire in December 2026. That deadline makes the audit and City Council’s deliberations more immediate, because officials will have to decide what to do about the arrangement before or around the contract’s expiration. The deadline does not by itself determine whether the city will renew, restrict or end the program.

Ginther previously supported retaining the cameras with additional safeguards. After the alleged misuse came to light, he said the discovery had shaken his trust. Council members have also raised concerns about privacy, data access and the program’s future.

Council is considering restrictions

Columbus City Council has been examining the Flock system separately from the police department’s pause. The council held a Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee hearing on August 10, 2026, to examine the cameras and related oversight issues.

Council’s consideration of new restrictions is not a final decision on whether the program will continue. Possible changes could address search limits, outside access, audits and other safeguards, but the city has not adopted a final set of changes in the materials reviewed for this article.

What the records policy says

A February 14, 2026, Columbus City Bulletin identifies Flock license-plate-reader data in the city’s records-retention schedule and lists a 30-day retention period.

That retention rule is separate from the current pause in collection. It does not establish what historical data remains available during the audit, whether particular records have been accessed or whether any data has been deleted.

What residents should watch

The next important developments are the results of the police audit, any findings in the investigation of Tellis, City Council action on proposed safeguards and the city’s decision as the December contract expiration approaches.

For now, Columbus residents can expect no new Flock data collection while officials review current and past use. Whether the technology returns will depend on the audit, council deliberations and the city’s eventual contract decision.

Sources

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