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APD to centralize technology under new division; committee hears privacy, retention and oversight questions

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Summary

Deputy Chief Jackie Stepp outlined plans for a standalone technology and intelligence division to centralize drones, license-plate readers and other camera systems; staff said no facial-recognition is used and data-retention follows state law, but council and residents raised privacy and data-sharing concerns.

The Asheville Police Department told the Public Safety Committee July 31 that it plans to create a standalone Technology and Intelligence Division to centralize the department’s drones, license-plate readers, body-worn cameras and other surveillance assets, and to operate a future real-time intelligence center.

Deputy Chief Jackie Stepp said the division will consolidate technology assets and oversight under a single command and will be staffed from within APD’s existing budget with one personnel reclassification proposed to create a captain to oversee the unit. Stepp said the division will manage the department’s drone program, in-car and body-worn cameras, license-plate reader (LPR) integrations, and a civilian crime and…

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