Knox County Sheriff’s 10-year Flock deal bypassed oversight

1 August 2026.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office committed to a 10-year agreement with Flock Safety for surveillance cameras and services without informing county commissioners or the mayor of the full financial scope or operational plans. The first year costs $800,000 for equipment and professional services, but the sheriff's office has not disclosed costs for years two through 10 or what additional services it plans to purchase. The cameras were purchased in April using a $1.5 million state grant, with cameras already installed in eastern Knox County by late July.

Sheriff Tom Spangler's office used a cooperative purchasing agreement tool to bypass standard oversight procedures that would have required county officials' approval. Under county charter rules, service contracts exceeding $100,000 must be approved by commissioners and the mayor, but the sheriff's office initially structured the purchase as equipment only. After commissioners and the mayor expressed they would have rejected the arrangement had they known, Spangler agreed to pause camera operations until his term ends in September. The county commission unanimously requested more information about data use, storage, and sharing practices.

Former Captain Aaron Yarnell, who negotiated the Flock Safety agreement, has since retired following federal corruption indictment. The sheriff's office has declined to provide details about contract terms or answer questions about the surveillance center's ongoing funding beyond the remaining grant money. County commissioners are considering an ordinance that would ban surveillance cameras. Residents can check their own town's procurement records to see whether surveillance contracts bypass standard approval processes.

Read the original reporting: knoxnews.com.