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Cincinnati police defended the department’s use of surveillance technology during a City Council meeting on Oct. 6. Officials discussed cameras, license plate readers, drones and data-retention policies as council members sought greater privacy protections. The review could lead to new rules governing surveillance technology, data sharing and oversight in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati police defended the use of surveillance technology as city leaders pressed for more information about privacy, data retention and how information can be shared.
Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie appeared before Cincinnati City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Oct. 6 to discuss the department’s use of cameras, license plate readers, drones and other technology.
Cincinnati surveillance technology under review
The Cincinnati Police Department operates more than 400 city-owned surveillance cameras, along with automatic license plate readers and other tools used during investigations.
Police officials told council members the technology can help investigators identify suspects, reconstruct events and gather evidence after crimes.
At the same time, council members are examining how Cincinnati should regulate the collection and storage of information gathered through these systems.
The discussion follows growing regional concerns about surveillance technology and the handling of license plate data.
How Cincinnati police store surveillance data
During the meeting, officials provided information about how long different types of surveillance information are generally retained.
City surveillance-camera footage is typically retained for about 14 days. License plate-reader data is generally kept for about one year.
Body-camera and drone footage are generally retained for about 90 days, although information connected to an investigation can be kept longer.
Officials also said community cameras do not save video.
Police have argued that retention periods can affect investigations because officers may not immediately know which footage could become important to a case.
Council seeks more privacy protections
Cincinnati City Council is considering additional rules governing the city’s surveillance technology.
The proposed framework could address data retention, information sharing, surveillance policies, annual reporting and council oversight of technology contracts.
The goal is to provide clearer rules for how surveillance systems are operated while allowing police to use technology as an investigative tool.
The issue comes as officials across the region debate how law enforcement agencies should handle information collected by automated license plate readers.
Cincinnati police address data-sharing concerns
Hennie also faced questions about whether Cincinnati police would share license plate information with outside agencies.
He said CPD would not provide such information for the purpose of helping another state investigate someone for seeking an abortion in Ohio.
Hennie also said the department does not enforce abortion restrictions or immigration status.
The comments came amid broader questions about how law enforcement agencies can share information collected through surveillance systems.
Cincinnati does not use Flock cameras
The regional debate has also involved Flock Safety license plate readers.
Hamilton County recently ended its 75-camera Flock program following concerns about privacy and data sharing.
Cincinnati police, however, do not use Flock cameras. The department uses other license plate-reader technology, including systems associated with Axon.
The distinction is important because the Council’s review covers Cincinnati’s broader surveillance practices rather than simply the Flock system.
Council seeks stronger oversight of surveillance practices
The City Council’s review could lead to new rules governing Cincinnati’s surveillance technology.
Council members are looking at how long data should be retained, when information can be shared and what oversight should apply to surveillance contracts.
For now, police continue to defend the technology as an investigative resource while city leaders seek additional answers about privacy and accountability.
FAQs
How long does Cincinnati keep surveillance-camera footage?
City surveillance-camera footage is generally retained for about 14 days. Footage connected to an investigation can be retained longer.
How long is license plate-reader data kept?
License plate-reader information is generally retained for about one year, according to information presented to the City Council.
Why is Cincinnati City Council reviewing surveillance technology?
Council members are seeking more information about privacy, data retention, information sharing and oversight of surveillance technology.
What could happen next with Cincinnati’s surveillance policies?
City leaders could consider new requirements involving data retention, information sharing, reporting and oversight as the Council continues reviewing the technology.
