Dozens of police officers accused of misusing Flock camera database
Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl reported on “America Reports” that police officers around the U.S. are facing arrests over allegations they improperly used Flock Safety camera systems, as mounting privacy and accountability concerns put law enforcement use of license plate reader technology under a national spotlight.
A former sheriff’s deputy in Indiana is accused of exploiting his access to Flock camera data to track his girlfriend, allegedly running more than 2,000 searches of her license plate over the course of about a year.
Skylar Thompson, 31, has been charged with official misconduct, a Level 6 felony, along with a misdemeanor fraud count.
According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department uncovered the alleged activity during an internal review of its Flock system, finding that Thompson ran the searches between Dec. 31, 2025, and Aug. 2.
Skylar Thompson, 31, a former Indiana sheriff’s deputy, was charged after prosecutors said he allegedly used Flock cameras to search the same license plate more than 2,000 times. (Getty Images; Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office)
Prosecutors said Thompson categorized the searches as “city planning/traffic analysis,” even though he had not been assigned any work connected to city planning or traffic analysis.
After the discovery, the sheriff’s department referred the matter to Indiana State Police for an investigation. Thompson surrendered to authorities on Monday.
WKBN-TV reported that Thompson stepped down from the sheriff’s department on the same day officials confronted him about the alleged misuse. He also reportedly went to his girlfriend’s home and confessed to what he had done.
Flock cameras are used in towns across the nation as license plate readers, but the technology has come under scrutiny in recent months. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images, File)
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information and investigative tools, and that access must be used responsibly and only for legitimate law enforcement purposes,” the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said. “No person is above the law, including those entrusted with enforcing it.”
Flock cameras have come under heavy scrutiny over privacy concerns and the potential for misuse.
Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel defended the technology as an important public safety tool in a statement to News Outlet last month.
“Flock’s technology is an important public safety tool for law enforcement agencies across Texas, helping officers solve serious crimes, find missing people, recover stolen vehicles and support safer communities,” Lewbel said.
“We support thoughtful legislation and strong privacy, transparency and accountability guardrails that ensure technology is used responsibly while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use effective tools to keep people safe.”
