City leaders in Dayton are moving forward with an independent investigation into the alleged misuse of the municipality’s Flock surveillance cameras. On November 11, 2026, City Commissioner Daryl Fairchild confirmed that the city signed a contract with an outside law firm to conduct a thorough review.
Background and timeline
In May 2026, the Dayton police chief suspended the Flock camera program after the department was accused of misusing the technology. Shortly thereafter, the city covered all more than 70 cameras with bags to prevent further data collection.
According to Dayton Police, the misuse occurred in October 2025. The department then approached city commissioners in January 2026 requesting additional Flock equipment, despite the earlier violation. The misuse was not disclosed to city leaders until May 2026, prompting the suspension and subsequent cover‑up.
Commissioners seek answers
Commissioner Matt Joseph emphasized the need to balance public safety with constitutional rights, stating, “We’re trying to figure out how we get information that helps to solve crimes but doesn’t infringe on people’s basic rights.” He added that the policy governing the cameras was clear, written, and passed on the commission dais, yet it was not followed.
Commissioner Darius Beckham called the January request for more technology “negligent,” noting that officials knew about the October misuse. “The ordinance was not followed, and we must decide if the technology will stay or go,” he said.
Commissioner Daryl Fairchild echoed these concerns, asking, “We need to know who knew what, when they knew it, and why it wasn’t disclosed in January.”
City manager’s response
City Manager Shelley Dickstein described the findings as “egregious violations,” underscoring the seriousness of the alleged policy breaches. The independent law firm’s investigation will focus on identifying the breakdowns in policy adherence, the chain of command, and any potential legal ramifications.
Next steps
The city has not yet decided whether the Flock program will resume, be restructured, or be terminated altogether. Commissioners indicated that the investigation’s results will guide any future actions.
News Center 7 reached out to Dayton Police for clarification on the timeline, but a spokesperson, James Rider, said the department’s email was non‑functional and no further comment could be provided at this time.
Community impact
Residents have expressed concern about privacy and the potential for surveillance overreach. The independent review aims to restore public confidence by ensuring that any future use of surveillance technology complies with established policies and respects citizens’ basic rights.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
