Florida police officer arrested for unauthorized use of Flock license plate cameras
A Haines City, Florida police officer was arrested after conducting 717 unauthorized searches of his estranged wife's vehicle using the Flock license plate recognition database between September 2024 and June 2026. The officer falsely claimed the searches were related to criminal investigations, though the vehicle was not involved in any crime.
What happened
Christopher Goodson, an officer with the Haines City Police Department since March 2022, made 717 unauthorized inquiries into his estranged wife's vehicle using the Flock camera database between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026.
Goodson entered his estranged wife's license plate number into the system under various false pretenses including criminal motor vehicle offenses, drug and narcotic training, assault and battery offenses, and obstructing police. The vehicle was not part of any criminal investigation and was not listed in any crime.
Reported impact
Goodson's estranged wife's vehicle location was tracked extensively without authorization over a period of 21 months, exposing her to surveillance and potentially compromising her privacy and safety.
Index analysis
Flock cameras are designed to help law enforcement identify vehicles involved in crimes by reading license plates. This case demonstrates how an authorized database user can deliberately misuse the system to conduct unauthorized personal surveillance.
Governance controls
The Haines City Police Department discovered the misuse on August 10, 2026, after Goodson disclosed the inquiries to his supervisor. A criminal investigation was immediately opened and Goodson was placed on paid administrative leave.
Goodson was arrested on charges of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices, and official misconduct. He indicated plans to resign from the department.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.