Dozens of police officers accused of misusing Flock camera database
Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl reported on “America Reports” about a widening wave of cases involving police officers accused of improperly using Flock Safety camera systems, as privacy advocates and law enforcement watchdogs raise new questions about oversight, accountability and the nationwide use of license plate reader technology.
In Indiana, a former sheriff’s deputy is now facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he exploited access to Flock camera technology to monitor his girlfriend for more than a year, allegedly running over 2,000 searches tied to her license plate.
Skylar Thompson, 31, has been charged with one count of official misconduct, a Level 6 felony, along with a misdemeanor fraud charge.
According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department uncovered the alleged activity during an internal review of the Flock system, finding that Thompson used the technology to run the searches between Dec. 31, 2025, and Aug. 2.
Skylar Thompson, 31, a former Indiana sheriff’s deputy, is accused of using Flock cameras to search the same license plate more than 2,000 times, prosecutors said. (Getty Images; Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office)
Thompson reportedly listed his searches as “city planning/traffic analysis” despite never being assigned duties involving either duty, prosecutors said.
The agency then asked the Indiana State Police to investigate. Thompson turned himself in to authorities Monday.
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He resigned from the sheriff’s department the day he was confronted about the alleged abuse. He also drove to his then-girlfriend’s home and admitted what he had done, WKBN-TV reported.
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 Media 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,” Lewbel continued.