More Mass. police officers placed on leave over alleged Flock misuse

The Lynn Police Department has placed two officers on paid administrative leave and launched an internal investigation after an audit of the department’s Flock Safety license plate reader system uncovered what police described as a “concerning pattern in some searches.” 

Lynn police conducted the audit Aug. 12 using Flock Safety’s Audit Assist tool, the department announced Thursday in a press release. The review prompted officials to place two officers, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed, on leave while the department investigates their use of the system. 

The department did not specify what the searches involved, though it noted that none were related to immigration enforcement. 

Following the results of the audit, access to the Flock cameras have been restricted to supervisory personnel holding the rank of lieutenant or higher as the department reviews its license plate reader policy, Lynn police said.

The department said it uses Flock cameras to help locate and apprehend wanted people, investigate criminal activity, find missing people, and, in some cases, help exonerate those who have been falsely accused. 

“The use of technology is an essential part of public safety operations,” the department said in the release, noting that the department has used Flock in investigations involving homicides, hit-and-run crashes, and gun violence. “With those benefits comes the responsibility to engage in ongoing policy review to ensure that advances in technology are met with relevant and effective safeguards pertaining to its use.” 

The department said it has also “strengthened” its oversight procedures by requiring regular and ongoing use of the Flock Safety audit tool. 

The Lynn investigation comes amid growing scrutiny of how Massachusetts law enforcement agencies use automated license plate readers and access the information collected by the system. Opponents of the technology have raised growing concerns over privacy and civil liberties, questioning how the cameras and the data they collect are overseen and accessed.

Last week, the New Bedford Police Department announced it was suspending its Flock camera use after an officer was placed on leave amid an internal investigation. 

Court documents revealed Officer Emily Pacheco is accused of using the system to track her ex-girlfriend. A protective hearing order against the New Bedford officer was extended last Thursday for six months.

In Stow, police disabled the town’s Flock cameras in late July after Officer Jason Rogers was placed on unpaid leave. 

Rogers allegedly used Flock cameras and other police databases to obtain information about someone he personally knew. He is facing termination proceedings and criminal charges, the Stow Police Department said. 

On the same day as the Lynn Police Department’s announcement, the town of Hopkinton revealed it was terminating its Flock Safety contract following a legal review of the agreement.

The legal review found “statutory deficiencies” that made the contract “unlawful under Massachusetts law,” town officials said in a press release Thursday.

Hopkinton’s Flock cameras are expected to be shut down “as soon as possible” and physically removed by Sept. 30, according to the town. 

“Automated license plate reader technology has proven that it can be a very valuable tool in criminal investigations and active emergencies,” Hopkinton Interim Police Chief Scott van Raalten said. “Even so, we recognize that our community has raised legitimate concerns, and we take those seriously.” 

The town said it will conduct a broader review of technology used by the police department, including automated license plate readers. The review will examine the department’s operational needs as well as privacy protections, transparency, oversight, and the procurement process.