Timeline / entry

Texas governor halts state funding for Flock cameras after two officer tracking cases

On August 28, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott’s office confirmed that state agencies would pause state funding for Flock license plate reader cameras after two officer criminal cases. A former Katy police officer was indicted in Fort Bend County on stalkng and misuse-of-official-information charges; internal affairs records obtained by KHOU reportedly showed 2,386 searches of his ex-wife’s plate over 11 months. He was fired and has pleaded not guilty. A Lufkin officer was arrested by Texas Rangers on Aug. 20 and indicted on 100 felony counts of misuse of official information; Lufkin suspended its Flock use. The Texas Tribune reported a state agency has devoted at least $30 million in grants to local police for Flock cameras. Abbott’s spokesman said city funding mostly comes from the federal government, and state funds cannot be used for the cameras.

$30,000,000Contract spendreportednot on THE TABAt least $30 million in state grants to local police for Flock cameras, as reported by the Texas Tribune. Prior spend on systems still in use, so not counted toward the tab.

Sources

  1. Abbott blocks state agencies from spending money on Flock cameras — The Texas Tribune, Aug 28, 2026 (texastribune.org)
  2. Former Katy police officer indicted after allegedly using Flock cameras to track ex-wife — Covering Katy News, Aug 27, 2026 (coveringkaty.com)
  3. Grand jury indicts Lufkin police officer on 100 felony counts for alleged misuse of Flock cameras — The Lufkin Daily News, Aug 22, 2026 (lufkindailynews.com)

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