Automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology vendor Flock Safety has regularly highlighted successful police departments in its promotional campaigns. However, several of these featured law enforcement agencies are now confronting internal misconduct investigations and criminal charges involving the unauthorized use of that very surveillance system. Across multiple jurisdictions in Georgia and Texas, officers have been suspended, terminated, or arrested following internal audits.
Unauthorized Searches Uncovered at Savannah Police Department
In March 2022, Flock Safety published a promotional video focusing on the Savannah Police Department. The video featured then Major of Police Robert Gavin, who praised how the system enabled seamless data sharing among law enforcement partners to enhance community safety.
Despite these early accolades, an internal review conducted through the Flock Safety Audit Assistance Program revealed widespread policy violations. Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther confirmed that an audit of 39,000 searches conducted this year flagged 127 inappropriate queries. On July 31, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson announced that four police officers and two civilian workers were placed on administrative leave. Mayor Johnson stated that public trust remains non-negotiable and that surveillance tools must never be converted to personal use. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is currently conducting an active inquiry into potential criminal violations.
Terminations and Criminal Charges at Albany Police Department
The Albany Police Department in Georgia was showcased in a 2024 promotional video highlighting crime analysis capabilities. In the video, Police Chief Michael J. Persley and Senior Crime and Intelligence Analyst David Sparks discussed how the technology aided property crime investigations while building public trust through transparency.
On July 6, the Albany Police Department announced the termination of five officers following an administrative probe into severe policy violations. Three officers were directly fired for improper use of license plate readers, while two others were dismissed for separate violations uncovered during the investigation. The GBI subsequently arrested and charged the officers with violating their oaths of office and misusing license plate data.
Private Vendor Assistance Probe at Sandy Springs
In 2020, promotional material highlighted the Sandy Springs Police Department after plate recognition tools helped apprehend a theft suspect. Five years later, the department initiated an internal inquiry after discovering that an officer was abusing the search system.
Investigators found that the officer allegedly conducted unauthorized ALPR searches to assist beta testing for Signal 8, a law enforcement software developer where the officer maintained secondary employment. The officer refused to cooperate with internal investigators and was subsequently terminated.
Resignation and Dual Inquiries at Baytown Police Department
The Baytown Police Department was featured in a 2025 promotional series demonstrating rapid response during a carjacking incident. Officers in the video highlighted how frequently they relied on the software during daily shifts.
On July 30, Baytown Police Chief John Stringer announced the resignation of an officer who was under investigation for allegedly misusing the surveillance platform. Chief Stringer confirmed that both internal administrative and criminal investigations remain active to ensure full accountability under the law.
National Scope and Vendor Statement on Oversight
Allegations of license plate reader misuse extend beyond these featured departments. In Georgia, similar reports have emerged from sheriff offices in Coweta County, Cherokee County, Habersham County, and Richmond County. Related incidents have also been investigated across departments in Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Responding to the disclosures, Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel emphasized that improper system access was detected and addressed through existing protocols. Lewbel noted that the identification of misuse demonstrates that internal oversight tools and audit mechanisms are functioning effectively to hold individuals accountable, rather than serving as grounds to condemn entire agencies.
