Savannah Police employees investigated for misuse of license plate reader system
Six Savannah Police employees were placed on administrative leave after being accused of misusing the city's Flock Safety license plate reader system. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation opened an independent inquiry to determine whether criminal charges are warranted, while the department initiated potential disciplinary proceedings.
What happened
Six Savannah Police Department employees—four officers and two civilian staff—were placed on administrative leave after allegedly misusing the city's Flock Safety license plate reader system.
The department referred the cases to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an independent investigation to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Mayor Van Johnson stated the individuals face potential disciplinary action including termination.
Reported impact
Mayor Johnson said the misuse raised concerns about public trust and emphasized that the license plate reader system should exist only to keep the community safe, not for personal or unauthorized use.
Governance controls
The department acted swiftly by placing employees on leave and referring the investigation to an independent state agency, according to the mayor.
The case occurred amid a broader pattern in Georgia of law enforcement officers misusing license plate reader databases, with recent cases reported in Cherokee County, Albany, Richmond County, Habersham County, and other jurisdictions.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.