Officer Misuse of License Plate Reader in Porter County Highlighted

An investigation revealed that an officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department misused the county’s license plate reader system on three occasions without committing a crime, according to Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann on Tuesday. Despite this violation, both Germann and Sheriff Jeff Balon emphasized the importance of Flock cameras as a law enforcement tool when properly used.

In a statement, Germann noted these cameras aim to serve the public interest and ensure safety. ‘They were never meant for private use,’ Germann said. Similarly, Sheriff Balon stated license plate readers are vital for crime fighting and assisting those in need. ‘As with any law enforcement tool, misuse leads to accountability,’ Balon added.

Flock Safety, the manufacturer of these cameras, announced platform updates last month to address privacy concerns and misuse documentation, as reported by the Associated Press. The company operates a large network of automated cameras capturing vehicle license plate numbers and other characteristics daily. Thousands of agencies can access and share data to aid investigations.

Law enforcement praised the technology for locating missing persons and tracking crime suspects. Critics, however, argue its widespread use resembles unconstitutional warrantless surveillance. Instances of misuse led many cities and agencies to sever ties with Flock, fearing data could be accessed for immigration enforcement or unauthorized tracking.

On August 28, Balon disclosed an officer’s misuse of the Flock system. The officer, seeking a specific plate, faced disciplinary action: demotion, suspension without pay, indefinite Flock use suspension, and ethics training. Germann confirmed that a ‘full and fair’ investigation revealed the officer logged in three times over several months. ‘A mistake, albeit minor,’ Germann said, affirming no crime was committed.

Germann underscored little similarity to a Jackson County case involving a former deputy, Skylar Thompson, who exploited the system over 2,000 times, falsely claiming purposes related to ‘City Planning/Traffic Analysis.’ Germann committed to individually reviewing future cases.

The Porter County incident surfaced following a citizen’s complaint about unauthorized use of their plate through Flock. ‘An internal affairs investigation confirmed policy violation,’ Balon said. Despite typically refraining from commenting on such investigations, Balon addressed the situation given national focus on license plate reader issues.

The sheriff’s department withheld further details, including the officer’s rank, tenure, and discovery timing due to its internal nature. Balon highlighted that the violation occurred under prior policy. ‘Our policy is now strengthened,’ Balon said, ensuring additional safeguards like case numbers and search reasons for all Flock queries.

Moreover, Balon mentioned the use of Flock’s Audit system employing AI to identify suspicious searches, flagged for departmental review, providing enhanced oversight and accountability for system usage.