Axon Chief Calls on Police to Help Guide Technology Rules

October 25, 2026 - 18:09

Police leaders should take an active role in shaping how new technology is regulated rather than leaving the decisions to others, according to the head of one of the largest suppliers of law enforcement equipment.

Speaking at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference, the company's chief executive, Rick Smith, told attendees that the current argument over automated license plate readers is only one part of a much larger question. He said agencies should look past that single debate and think about the rules that will govern a widening range of tools in the years ahead.

Smith argued that departments have practical experience that lawmakers and regulators often lack, and that this knowledge should inform the creation of safeguards. Those safeguards, he said, can encourage responsible innovation while also protecting individual privacy and preserving public confidence in police work.

His remarks come as agencies face growing scrutiny over how they collect, store and share data. Supporters of license plate readers say they help solve crimes and find missing people, while critics raise concerns about tracking and retention. Smith did not propose specific policies but urged chiefs to join the conversation early so that officers and the communities they serve are not left reacting to rules written without them.