In a troubling incident involving police misconduct, a former patrolman in Alpharetta, Georgia, Dustin Bozzo, reportedly misused the Flock Safety automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system to track his ex-girlfriend and another officer. Internal investigation records reveal that between March and May, Bozzo conducted 56 searches for his ex’s license plate after their romantic relationship ended, which also violated city policy against workplace dating.
Bozzo’s interest was further piqued when he noticed that a different officer’s vehicle frequently appeared near his ex’s, leading him to search for that officer’s plate 29 times within the same period. Following discoveries related to his actions, Bozzo was placed on paid leave on July 20 and eventually resigned on August 5. The department is conducting an ongoing criminal investigation into the matter, with police chief Trent Lindgren asserting that prompt action was taken upon identifying the misuse of the technology.
Documents from the investigation indicate that Bozzo denied intending to cause harm but admitted to the inappropriate use of Flock for personal reasons. He claimed his searches were meant to ensure his ex was safe after a reported car accident, but audit logs showed he often labeled his searches under "Wanted Person" or "Traffic Infraction," which he justified as simply a quick way to fill in the required fields.
The investigation also uncovered details about Bozzo’s relationship with his ex, revealing that although they maintained it did not occur during work hours, multiple reports indicated they were often engaged in personal activities while on duty. The situation escalated when another officer, whom he tracked, was rumored to have a platonic relationship with his ex, raising suspicions.
Ultimately, while the report found no evidence of malice in Bozzo’s actions, it concluded that his use of Flock was a clear violation of department policy.
For more details on the impact of ALPR misuse by law enforcement, you can explore the following links: ALPR Abuse Database and Flock Safety Investigations.
