Community, Police Conflict on Facial Recognition in U.S. Cities

Published Date : 7/28/2025 

The implementation of facial recognition technology by U.S. law enforcement is facing significant opposition from communities, particularly in Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. This article explores the ongoing debates and the potential impacts of these technologies. 

Police in the U.S. are increasingly looking to deploy facial recognition technology, though there is less alignment on the specifics, such as the biometric reference databases to use or how suspects should be identified. In Milwaukee, the community is pushing back against a proposed facial recognition system, while the Oklahoma City police have signed a contract with Clearview AI, a company known for its controversial data collection methods.

City commission opposes FRT for Milwaukee police

The Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission has unanimously approved a resolution opposing the implementation of facial recognition technology by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). According to a blog from the Wisconsin Justice Initiative, the resolution calls on Police Chief Jeffrey Norman to address the commission’s concerns following a June hearing where MPD representatives discussed their prior secret use of the technology.

The facial recognition technology in question is provided by Biometrica. It differs from many systems in how it collects biometrics and what database it compares them to. Biometrica does not use standard CCTV cameras and does not store records or images of anyone who has not been previously confirmed as a felony convict, a wanted suspect, or a missing person. The company claims its deidentification process is designed to be compliant with GDPR.

However, the Equal Rights Commission’s resolution states that the material acquired by the commission “affirms that FRT carries the potential for disproportionate impacts and inaccuracies, especially when applied to individuals in protected classes.” Emilio De Torre, executive director of the Milwaukee Turners, the oldest civic group in the city, calls the resolution “a significant official declaration of what the people of Milwaukee have been saying all along: there are no acceptable guardrails that can be installed that would protect our identities and privacy in a satisfactory way.”

Clearview AI FRT to be deployed in Oklahoma City

In contrast to the misunderstanding surrounding Biometrica’s system, Clearview AI, a company specializing in facial recognition technology for law enforcement, has no such ambiguity. Despite facing multiple lawsuits over its collection of biometric data from social media and other public sources, Clearview has signed a fresh $37,000 contract with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Sgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department explains that the technology will be used as a lead in investigations and not as probable cause for an arrest. “It is simply a lead in a case or a tip,” Knight says. “Sometimes we will have a deceased person, and we simply don’t know who they are. Nobody’s reported them missing, fingerprints haven’t helped, and we’ve got nothing. In this case, that technology can help us.”

Detectives must obtain approval from two different supervisors before a picture can be processed through the facial recognition software. “An investigator cannot just look at the image that comes back to them with a name and say, ‘We’re going to go arrest this guy.’ That’s not the case. It must be combined with other things that you would have with any other criminal investigation.”

The department is currently writing its FRT policy and plans to undergo extensive training before utilizing this new tool.

Virginia police department launches facial recognition program under strict oversight

In a related development, the Virginia police department has launched a facial recognition program under strict oversight, ensuring that the technology is used responsibly and with the necessary safeguards in place. This approach highlights the need for clear guidelines and training to prevent misuse and protect civil liberties.

The ongoing debates and implementations of facial recognition technology in U.S. cities underscore the complex balance between public safety and individual privacy. As law enforcement continues to explore these technologies, community engagement and transparent policies will be crucial to ensure that the benefits of facial recognition are realized without infringing on civil rights. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is facial recognition technology?

A: Facial recognition technology is a biometric system that can identify individuals based on their facial features. It uses algorithms to match a person’s face with a database of known faces.

Q: Why is there opposition to facial recognition technology in Milwaukee?

A: The opposition in Milwaukee stems from concerns over privacy, potential misuse, and the disproportionate impact on protected classes. The community and the Equal Rights Commission believe that the technology poses significant risks to civil liberties.

Q: What is Clearview AI and why is it controversial?

A: Clearview AI is a facial recognition company that collects biometric data from social media and other public sources. It has faced multiple lawsuits over privacy violations and the legality of its data collection methods.

Q: How will the Oklahoma City Police Department use Clearview AI's technology?

A: The Oklahoma City Police Department will use Clearview AI's technology as a lead in investigations. It will not be used as probable cause for an arrest. Detectives must obtain approval from two supervisors before processing a picture through the software.

Q: What are the benefits and risks of facial recognition technology in law enforcement?

A: The benefits include improved public safety and the ability to solve crimes more efficiently. The risks include privacy violations, potential misuse, and the disproportionate impact on certain communities, especially those already marginalized. 

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