Joe Leko has been sheriff of Dakota County, Minnesota, since 2023. He joined the Dakota County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 1997 and served eight years as chief deputy before his election. He is fourth vice president of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association.
Case
Networked automated license-plate cameras can assemble searchable records of vehicle movements. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to ban the systems, keep them with limits, or defend them as investigative tools. This tracker separates outright bans from narrower restrictions.
Role at the time: Dakota County sheriff running for reelection
Statement summary
Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko said he supports responsible use of license-plate reader technology only with proper controls and public support, and said his office ended its pilot program on Sept. 3, 2026.
“I support the responsible use of this technology when proper controls, accountability, demonstrated value and public support are in place. However, technology must also maintain public trust and provide sufficient value. As concerns grew regarding data privacy and the broader sharing of license plate reader information, I listened. We also evaluated the return from cameras located in our rural patrol area. Considering both public concerns and the limited return in those locations, we ended our ALPR pilot program on September 3, 2026.”
The reference point is whether networked license-plate readers such as Flock should exist and be used. Leko says he supports responsible use when controls, accountability, demonstrated value and public support are in place, while explaining that his office ended its pilot and would involve the public before reconsidering. Support tied to those conditions is Mixed or conditional.
Statement dates: September 16, 2026
Statement dates: September 16, 2026
Statement dates: September 16, 2026
Statement dates: September 16, 2026
