GoKawiilSAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Savannah Police Department terminated four sworn officers and two civilian employees following an internal investigation into misuse of the department’s Flock Safety License Plate Reader system. All six cases are also under independent criminal investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The six employees were placed on administrative leave last week after a proactive review of system activity identified searches that appeared to have been conducted for purposes unrelated to legitimate law enforcement activity.
SEE: Savannah Police investigating 6 employees over alleged misuse of license plate reader system
SPD started an internal investigation July 27 and referred all six cases to the GBI for independent criminal review.
What the investigation found
SPD’s administrative investigation determined the employees violated department policies governing the authorized use of law enforcement technology and departmental resources. Investigators found that employees were running searches on personal acquaintances and family members. One officer was found to have given someone from an outside law enforcement agency access to SPD’s Flock Safety system, which they weren’t authorized to do.
How the activity was detected
The activity was identified through the departments auditing and oversight of the Flock Safety system, including use of the Flock Safety Audit Assist program, which became available in April.
MORE: Savannah mayor, police chief feel ‘betrayed’ after 6 employees placed on leave for Flock camera misuse
Every search run through the Flock Safety platform is automatically logged — who ran it, when, and the reason they gave for doing it. SPD said they also have other safeguards in place, including mandatory training, role-based access controls and supervisory oversight.
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