Kentucky Police Officer Arrested for Misusing Flock License Plate Readers to Stalk Ex-Partner
A Kentucky police officer was arrested after using Flock Safety's AI-powered license plate reader system to conduct over 2,000 searches tracking his ex-partner between January and May 2026. The officer falsely claimed the searches were for a drug investigation, and continued tracking the victim even after she obtained an order of protection against him for harassment and threats.
What happened
Asad Zahir, a Shively police officer since 2022, was arrested after conducting 2,048 searches using the Flock Safety license plate reader system from January to May 2026 to track two vehicles registered to his ex-partner, with whom he shares a child.
Zahir listed the reason for the searches as a drug or narcotics investigation, even though the woman targeted was not the subject of any such investigation and has no history indicating violations. During this period, Zahir harassed the victim and made threatening comments, prompting her to file an order of protection against him on April 17, 2026; 241 of the Flock searches occurred while that order was in effect through May 6.
Reported impact
The victim filed an order of protection against Zahir due to harassment and threatening comments he made during the period of surveillance.
Zahir was charged with five counts of official misconduct and five counts of unlawful access to a computer, both Class A and Class B misdemeanors. He was released from custody and suspended without pay.
Index analysis
Flock Safety's AI-powered auditing tool, implemented as a requirement after growing concerns about misuse by police, flagged Zahir's abnormal search pattern. This marks part of a broader pattern of law enforcement officers accused of using the system to stalk romantic interests.
Governance controls
Shively Police Chief Andre Bottoms promised a review of Flock protocols and accountability in the case, stating the department did not want to be judged on 'the poor decisions made by one officer.' The auditing tool's detection of the misuse demonstrates a governance measure in response to prior abuse concerns.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.