Sterling IL PD

Transparency Portal

Last Updated: Wed Jul 16 2025
Overview
Sterling IL PD uses Flock Safety technology to capture objective evidence without compromising on individual privacy. Sterling IL PD utilizes retroactive search to solve crimes after they've occurred. Additionally, Sterling IL PD utilizes real time alerting of hotlist vehicles to capture wanted criminals. In an effort to ensure proper usage and guardrails are in place, they have made the below policies and usage statistics available to the public.
Policies
What's Detected
License Plates, Vehicles
What's Not Detected
Facial recognition, People, Gender, Race
Acceptable Use Policy
Data is used for law enforcement purposes only. Data is owned by Sterling IL PD and is never sold to 3rd parties.
Prohibited Uses
Immigration enforcement, traffic enforcement, harassment or intimidation, usage based solely on a protected class (i.e. race, sex, religion), Personal use.
Access Policy
All system access requires a valid reason and is stored indefinitely.
Hotlist Policy
Hotlist hits are required to be human verified prior to action.
Usage
Data retention (in days)
30 days
Number of LPR and other cameras
9
Hotlists Alerted On
NCIC, Illinois Leads, NCMEC Amber Alert, IL SOS
Unique vehicles detected in the last 30 days
61,753
Hotlist hits in the last 30 days
7,155
Searches in the last 30 days
107
Additional Info
Recent Success Story: Stolen Vehicle - 05/20/25 10:36am Case #25-00620
Sterling Police Department took a report of a stolen vehicle at 10:36am. They immediately searched the Flock system and found the vehicle had left the city southbound on Avenue G bridge. At 11:42am a stolen vehicle alerted on Avenue G Bridge and again on West Lincolnway. An officer located the vehicle and performed a traffic stop. A male suspect taken into custody. Charges include theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, warrant, and traffic offenses.
Recent Success Story: Stolen Motorcycle - 05/18/25 4:09am Case #25-00605
Sterling Police Department officer received an alert of a stolen motorcycle from our W. Lincolnway/Elm Ave camera. The vehicle was reported stolen to Rock Falls Police Department. The officer was in the area and sees the motorcycle. The officer confirmed the license plate with dispatch, and confirmed the stolen motorcycle. A pursuit begins for short period before the subject ditched the motorcycle in wooded area. The male suspect driver and female suspect passenger fled on foot and were arrested short time later. Charges include theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, warrants, drug charges, and traffic offenses.