Three former police officers in Macon, Georgia, were arrested this week for allegedly using Flock cameras to track individuals illegally while on duty. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office charged the officers with multiple offenses, including violation of oath by a public officer and stalking. Two officers resigned during the investigation, while the third resigned after his arrest.
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis stated that while Flock technology can aid in solving crimes, it should not be used for personal purposes or infringe on citizens' rights. The investigation began after Flock reported irregularities, leading to an internal audit that identified the actions of officers Joseph Callaway, Coznavian Stubbs, and Toni Lewis. Callaway faces additional charges for unauthorized disclosure of criminal history information.
The officers are accused of using automated license plate readers for personal reasons, specifically to track individuals with whom they had personal relationships. Stubbs claimed that his actions were misrepresented, asserting he used the cameras to monitor his own vehicle. The use of Flock cameras has raised privacy concerns nationwide, prompting local councils in at least 23 states to cancel contracts due to data privacy issues.