Louisiana Deputy Fired After Thousands Of Flock Searches On Ex-Fiancée
A Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputy has been fired after admitting he repeatedly used the agency's Flock camera system to search for his former fiancée's vehicle, according to Sheriff Joseph Lopinto.
The investigation found the deputy searched a single license plate more than 3,200 times over the course of several years, according to reports from WDSU and other New Orleans-area media outlets. The license plate belonged to his former fiancée.
The former employee has been identified as Nathan Rome, who is also known locally as DJ Bulletproof.
The case comes as Flock cameras and the massive amount of license plate data available to law enforcement continue to face scrutiny over privacy and potential misuse.
Investigation Began After Media Inquiry
According to JPSO, the department became aware of the allegations on August 17 after a member of the media contacted the Sheriff's Office about possible improper use of the system.
Lopinto ordered an internal investigation.
When questioned Tuesday, Rome admitted to conducting the searches and told investigators the license plate belonged to his former fiancée, JPSO said. He reportedly told investigators she was aware that he searched for her vehicle and that the two maintained a friendly relationship.
Investigators then interviewed the woman.
According to JPSO, she confirmed she knew about the searches and requested that criminal charges not be pursued. She also reportedly asked that Rome be allowed to keep his job.
That did not happen.
Sheriff Says Flock Database Cannot Become 'Personal Life360'
Rome was initially suspended following his admission. JPSO ultimately terminated him, calling his use of the Flock system a serious violation of department policy.
Lopinto made his position especially clear when speaking with WDSU about the case.
"I can't allow our deputies to allow a law enforcement database as their personal Life360."
JPSO said the privacy concerns surrounding technology like automated license plate readers are important to the agency and that misuse of the Flock system violates department policy regardless of the circumstances.
Flock Camera Privacy Concerns Continue To Grow
The Jefferson Parish case comes during growing national scrutiny of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader network.
Flock cameras can capture license plates and other vehicle information as cars pass the cameras, creating searchable data that law enforcement agencies can use during investigations.
But recent cases around the country have raised questions about what happens when someone with legitimate access uses that information for personal reasons. A recent Associated Press report noted numerous allegations involving officers improperly searching for current or former romantic partners, family members and friends.
Just last week, Flock announced changes to its platform amid that scrutiny. Among the changes are additional auditing measures intended to identify abnormal search activity and greater requirements for users to justify searches.
That makes the Jefferson Parish investigation particularly notable for Louisiana drivers as questions continue nationally about who can access license plate data, why they are accessing it and how agencies ensure those searches are connected to legitimate law enforcement work.
JPSO Reviewing What Happens Next
Lopinto told WDSU that the Sheriff's Office planned to meet Thursday to discuss the next steps following the investigation.
For now, JPSO says the employee responsible for the searches is no longer with the department.
The Sheriff's Office also stressed that it intends to continue using emerging technology to fight crime while acknowledging the responsibility that comes with access to information capable of revealing where vehicles have been spotted.
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