CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CMPD says they have no objection to releasing cell phone tracking records now that they concluded their most recent case using technology to collect data from criminal suspects.
Police Chief Rodney Monroe recently sent a letter to Superior Court Judge Richard Boner saying he did not object to unsealing the documents. Β
This comes after several media outlets requested the documents be unsealed. Β These documents contain information obtained by a device called StringRay. Β The equipment looks like a cell phone tower but is used by police to obtain pertinent information on phones. Β
CMPD says they only use the technology to track criminals involved in serious crimes like murders, rapes and kidnappings. Β CMPD says they have always received permission from a judge to track the data through the StringRay device. Β
Officials say this device has helped CMPD fight crime and significantly lower the crime rate in the past several years.
CMPD says they respect the constitutional rights of citizens, including those who are involved in criminal activity. They believe by seeking court orders for any data of cell phones, they can ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected and apply any use of technology within the parameters of the law.
In a statement, CMPD says, “We hope that our request for unsealing this series of applications and court orders will reassure the public that we are using cell phone technology in a thoughtful manner that balances the rights of citizens with those of the suspects in these cases. Β We plan to continue this practice and will work with the courts to develop a process for unsealing these documents once the target of an investigation has been apprehended and arrested.”
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