Automated license plate readers are sold to communities as a high-tech tool to catch fleeing suspects and solve violent crimes. But what happens when the person abusing the surveillance network is the one wearing the badge?
Sharonville Police Lieutenant Walter Cordes is currently finding out the hard way. Following an internal audit, Cordes was slapped with a fifth-degree felony indictment this week after prosecutors revealed he used the department’s Flock Safety camera system to secretly track someone he knew personally.
The 29 Secret Searches
According to updates from the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and local reports, Cordes logged into the Flock camera network 29 separate times to pull location data on an individual who had absolutely no connection to an active criminal investigation…