ATHENS, Ga. — The Athens-Clarke County Police Department says it fired an employee after an internal investigation into improper use of the automated license plate reader system.
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The department announced Friday it started the investigation on Thursday after receiving a complaint from the employee’s ex-wife.
The initial investigation found that Nick Barker, a criminal intelligence analyst supervisor, used the police department’s Flock Automated License Plate Reader system to search his ex-wife’s vehicle license plate numerous times over several months in 2025.
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Barker was a non-sworn civilian employee, the police department said. The agency’s policy strictly prohibits using the system for personal or non-official law enforcement purposes.
After the investigation, Chief of Police Jerry Saulters said he took immediate steps to terminate Barker.
ACCPD has requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an independent criminal investigation into the incident.
Saulters expressed his disappointment in the alleged actions of the former employee.
“Trust is the foundation of our relationship with the community we serve, and there is no greater responsibility than protecting that trust. I am deeply disappointed by the former employee’s actions and their impact on the confidence our community places in this department. Conduct that compromises that trust has no place within the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and we will continue to hold our employees to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. To that end, I am committed to moving forward with a complete examination of ACCPD’s ALPR technology and how we use these systems.”
— Athens-Clarke County Chief of Police Jerry Saulters
The police department’s Office of Professional Standards will continue an administrative investigation, while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducts its independent criminal inquiry.
The firing of the Athens-Clark PD employee comes amid several arrests, firings and other punishment associated with alleged abuse of cameras used by law enforcement.
Law enforcement agencies have been auditing the use of its cameras, and Flock has announced changes to its oversight features in response to misuse reports.
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