Gwinnett County police have taken steps to tighten access to Flock license plate data after an investigation into alleged misuse of law enforcement databases.
The Gwinnett County Police Department is reviewing how officers accessed its automated license plate reader system after concerns surfaced over searches that were not connected to legitimate law enforcement work.
The department previously arrested Officer Renee Downer in May after investigators determined she had allegedly used law enforcement resources to obtain information about a former partner’s location. Downer was charged with simple battery and stalking and was relieved of duty pending an administrative review.
The investigation into database and license plate reader access has since expanded, with the department examining activity through its auditing system. Authorities have said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional action could follow as investigators review the records.
Gwinnett police said access to the Flock system is intended for law enforcement purposes. The department’s current policy requires authorized personnel to provide a case number, call number or incident signal when using the system, while activity is tracked and subject to audits.
As part of the response, the department has introduced additional restrictions on searches. Officers who need to conduct a search must provide a justification to a direct supervisor, who determines whether the request is appropriate and conducts the search when approved.
The department is also requiring officers to undergo additional training on the Flock system. Officials said the retention period for Flock data is being reduced from 30 days to 15 days.
The changes come as law enforcement agencies across Georgia face increased scrutiny over how automated license plate reader information is accessed and used. Georgia law permits law enforcement agencies to use license plate reader technology for law enforcement purposes, including criminal investigations.
Flock cameras remain an important investigative tool for Gwinnett police. The department says the system can alert officers when a vehicle is associated with a stolen vehicle, crime, wanted person or missing person. Investigators can also use captured vehicle information when looking into crimes that occurred in an area.
Gwinnett County currently has more than 1,100 Flock cameras, although 209 of those cameras are owned by the Gwinnett County Police Department. The department says cameras are designed to capture vehicle and license plate information and are not equipped with facial-recognition technology.
Police officials have defended the technology’s role in public safety while acknowledging the need for stronger oversight. The department has pointed to cases in which license plate reader information helped investigators identify vehicles connected to serious crimes and locate missing or endangered people.
The department has also emphasized that Flock alerts alone do not establish probable cause for a traffic stop. Officers are trained to verify information through other law enforcement databases and their own observations before taking enforcement action.
For Gwinnett residents, the changes mean that access to the system will face additional review. The department says it will continue using Flock technology for legitimate public safety investigations while working to prevent unauthorized searches.
The investigation remains active, and any further disciplinary or criminal action will depend on what investigators find as the review continues.
