The sheriff of Sacramento County used the stingray technology over 500 times in the last 10 years but has not kept precise records. But in applying for federal funds in 2013, the department claimed to have extensive records documenting its success. Critics fear that the absence of records including policies and guidelines for the use of stingrays means that officers in the field have inadequate instructions for using the technology. (Ars Technica, June 5, 2015, by Cyrus Farivar)
The American Civil Liberties Union sued the department in March to force it to release documents concerning stingray technology. Stingray allows law enforcement to ascertain the location of cell phone users. The ACLU wants to find out the policies on stingrays including how the data is used and stored. (The Sacramento Bee, March 10, 2015, by Marissa Lang)