California cop shared Flock camera data with domestic violence suspect who tracked down victim
A rogue California cop was canned after reportedly using automated license plate reader information to help his cousin, a suspect in a domestic violence case.
The San Jose police officer was fired after using his personal phone to enter the Flock camera system and providing the location of a vehicle to his relative, according to police on Friday.
“When an officer violates the public’s trust this severely, my responsibility is clear: that person cannot remain in a position of police authority, and they cannot wear the San Jose badge. This technology is new; the standard is not,” San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said in a statement.
Following a yearlong investigation, the officer was fired in April according to The Mercury News. The officer’s cousin used the vehicle information to track down a woman who alleged he had abused her.
Prior to the incident, the officer had authorization to go into the database so he technically did not commit a crime. However, law enforcement officials are no longer able to access the Flock system on their personal devices going forward.
This comes as Flock cameras have been under heavy criticism and as some police officers have abused the system.
A Costa Mesa cop pleaded guilty in April for using Flock license plate readers to track down his mistress and romantic rival. A New York sheriff’s investigator was also arrested last week for allegedly using the cameras to track down her ex-girlfriend’s car thousands of times.
A lawsuit was also filed in 2025 against the city of San Jose and the police department alleging that the cameras violate individuals’ rights.
“It makes me feel less safe. I feel like they’re trying to just kind of mass monitor everyone” one resident told ABC 7.
However, another resident felt that cameras have improved public safety. “With technology like that, with a flock camera that runs 24 seven, you can’t do any more illegal like you used to,” San Jose resident Binh Nguyen said.
There are about 500 Flock cameras across San Jose. The fired officer and his cousin have not yet been charged.
