Flock CEO says DCSO will regret swap
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Flock Safety founder and CEO Garrett Langley. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images
Flock Safety's CEO says the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is wrong to suggest it doesn't own its Flock data before a planned switch to rival Axon.
Catch up quick: Douglas County begins a 10-year, nearly $23 million contract with Axon next year, after citing issues over data ownership and other concerns with Flock, including last year's Sandstone Ranch Open Space camera exposure.
State of play: A sheriff's official told Douglas County commissioners last month the office has strict data parameters but didn't own its Flock data — a key "concern."
- Axon, commissioners were told, gives ownership to the sheriff's office and is "not harboring it in their cloud."
Context: Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly told Axios last month there were mounting issues with Flock and "trust was lost, especially with me."
- He declined to elaborate.
Friction point: In an interview, Flock CEO Garrett Langley says Douglas County's explanation doesn't square with Flock's operation. "Every one of our customers owns their data. There's no gray area."
- Flock also doesn't "have control over who has access" to data, he tells Axios.
The big picture: Denver previously replaced Flock with Axon and Boulder is reviewing bids for its next vendor.
- A Parker spokesperson tells Axios the town will use its existing Flock cameras but that potential readers would be Axon products.
What they're saying: Langley argues Douglas County is walking away from a proven tool.
- "I think [DCSO] will wind up regretting the decision when they see the impact we were having and see that impact start to go down," Langley says.
- He credits Flock with helping safely return six abducted children in Colorado between September 2025 and February 2026.
The other side: "Maintaining the public's trust and [ensuring] absolute data security are paramount," the sheriff's office tells Axios in a statement.
- DCSO already uses Axon's body cameras and Tasers, and is integrating Draft One, the company's controversial AI report writing software.
Zoom in: Axon will replace 50 existing Flock cameras and add 50 more along major roads and intersections.
- DCSO's contract includes 20 drone-as-first-responder aircraft, plus four high-speed drones planned for 2028.
What's next: The Axon contract begins Jan. 1.
- Despite the split, Flock would welcome the sheriff's office back.
- "Whenever Douglas County is ready, we'll be waiting for them," Langley says.