HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY) — The Hickory Police Department has launched a new online transparency portal giving the public more information about the department’s use of Flock automated license-plate reader cameras.

Police say the dashboard provides information on data-retention practices, sharing settings, the number of searches conducted during the previous 30 days, the number of cameras in the department’s network, alert types and policy summaries.

HPD says the initiative is designed to improve transparency, accountability and public understanding of how automated license-plate readers are used in local law enforcement.

The portal is linked through the Hickory Police Department page on the City of Hickory website.