Oakland County sheriff’s representative tells Pontiac council local deputies won’t enforce immigration status or provide Flock camera data to ICE

Under Sheriff Timothy Willis of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office told the Pontiac City Council that the sheriff’s office does not enforce immigration‑status offenses and has not shared Flock (automated license‑plate reader) data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In his presentation Willis said the sheriff’s department focuses on local crimes and has no agreements with ICE to make arrests based on immigration status. Willis also stated the county retains ownership of Flock camera data under its agreement with the vendor and said the sheriff’s office has not received or honored requests to turn that information over to federal immigration officials.

Why it matters: Several residents had expressed fear that local officers were assisting ICE enforcement or sharing electronic surveillance data. Willis told council the sheriff’s office seeks to reassure victims and witnesses that immigration status will not deter them from reporting crimes.

Key clarifications: Council members asked whether the sheriff’s office had ever received an ICE request for data and whether the office would be bound to comply. Willis said he was not aware of any such requests being honored and emphasized his office’s interest in victim trust: “We don’t participate in any agreement with ICE,” he said, “and we have not given Flock data to ICE or any federal agency.”

Follow-up and contact: Willis gave an office contact (ocso.com) for residents to report concerns and said the department can provide written materials to the city so councilmembers and district meetings can share the sheriff’s position with residents.

What the council did: Council accepted the presentation and asked the sheriff’s office to provide written materials that could be distributed at neighborhood meetings and district outreach events.