Audit uncovers personal searches, prompts firings and criminal probe
The Savannah Police Department has fired six employees after an internal audit determined department resources were used for unauthorized searches of the agency’s automated license plate reader system, officials announced Friday. The dismissals included four sworn officers and two civilian employees.
The department’s internal review, which began July 27, identified searches that appeared unrelated to legitimate law enforcement purposes, including queries involving personal acquaintances and family members. Investigators also determined that one officer provided access to the department’s Flock Safety system to personnel from another law enforcement agency.
State investigators take over criminal probe
All six terminations were referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting an independent criminal investigation. The department said that investigation remains ongoing.
How the misuse was detected and immediate changes
The suspected misuse came to light through routine auditing of the Flock Safety platform, including a tool called Audit Assist, which the department began using in April. Department officials said that every search performed through the system is electronically logged, capturing the user, date, time and the stated reason for the query.
In response to the audit’s findings, the Savannah Police Department said it has strengthened oversight and controls. New and expanded measures include:
- Weekly audits by the Office of Professional Standards to identify unauthorized or suspicious activity;
- Mandatory user training for personnel with access to the Flock Safety system;
- Role-based access controls to limit who may run searches and what they may access;
- Supervisory oversight and compliance reviews; and
- Administrative investigations whenever potential misuse is detected.
Department officials emphasized that the audit and subsequent actions were proactive — a routine part of monitoring the system to ensure compliance with policy and protect residents’ privacy.
What this means for Savannah residents
Automated license plate readers have become a widely used tool for law enforcement, valued for tracking stolen vehicles and supporting criminal investigations. But the technology also raises concerns about privacy and appropriate use when searches are performed without proper cause.
For Savannah residents, the episode raises several practical questions: Who has access to movement data captured by plate readers, how strictly are usage logs monitored, and what safeguards will prevent the same kinds of improper searches in the future? The department’s new weekly audits and tightened access policies aim to answer those questions, but the outcome of the GBI probe will determine whether criminal charges or other legal consequences follow.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Employees fired | 6 (4 sworn officers, 2 civilian employees) |
| Internal investigation began | July 27 |
| Audit tool adoption | Flock Safety's Audit Assist adopted in April |
The department said all searches on the Flock Safety system are logged with the user name, date, time and stated reason, which is how the apparent misuse was identified. Officials also noted that suspending or terminating personnel and referring cases to state investigators are standard steps when internal reviews reveal potential violations.
As the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues its review, Savannah police leaders say the department will maintain heightened oversight and training to restore public confidence and ensure that technology intended to protect the community is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
This development will likely prompt renewed attention from civil liberties advocates and lawmakers about how automated surveillance tools are governed at the local level — a debate playing out across the country as police agencies increasingly adopt automated license plate readers and other data-driven technologies.
Residents with questions about their privacy rights or about the department’s new safeguards can expect further updates as the GBI investigation progresses and as the Savannah Police Department completes its expanded compliance reviews.
