New Report Helps Journalists Dig Deeper Into Police Surveillance

February 18, 2026 - 01:12

A comprehensive new report provides journalists with a critical toolkit for investigating and reporting on law enforcement surveillance technologies. The guide aims to help reporters move beyond official narratives and vendor marketing to deliver more accurate, impactful stories.

It focuses on equipping journalists with strategies to uncover the true financial and social costs of tools like facial recognition systems, automated license plate readers, and predictive policing software. The report emphasizes the importance of interrogating not just a technology's promised benefits for public safety, but also its documented impacts on community privacy, civil liberties, and potential for bias.

Key advice includes filing targeted public records requests to obtain procurement documents, use policies, and efficacy audits. It also encourages building sources within both oversight bodies and affected communities to gain a fuller picture. By demystifying technical jargon and outlining persistent questions about accuracy and equity, the report seeks to foster more rigorous public scrutiny. This empowers journalists to hold agencies accountable and inform vital civic debates on the balance between security, privacy, and justice in the digital age.