
TL;DR
A New Bedford police officer, Emily Pacheco, is accused of using Flock license plate readers to stalk her ex-girlfriend, leading to an internal investigation and a court-issued abuse prevention order.
✦ Why It Matters
Review your organization's policies on the use of surveillance technology to prevent misuse by personnel.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
Emily Pacheco, a patrol officer in New Bedford, faces allegations from her ex-girlfriend that she misused Flock license plate readers to track her movements after their relationship ended. The ex-girlfriend reported receiving numerous unwanted calls and visits from Pacheco, who allegedly accessed Flock data to follow her.
Following these allegations, the New Bedford Police Department temporarily suspended the use of Flock cameras while conducting an internal investigation. Flock cameras automatically scan and log license plate information, which can be accessed by law enforcement.
If the allegations are substantiated, Pacheco's actions would violate department policy, which prohibits personal use of the system. The case has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of surveillance technology by police officers.
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