SAVANNAH, Ga. — Georgia leaders are weighing in on concerns over surveillance technology and privacy after a former Savannah police officer was fired for sharing her department-issued Flock camera system credentials with her husband, a federal immigration agent, according to WJCL.
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The case has sparked debate over who should have access to sensitive law enforcement data and how information gathered through license plate readers can be used.
Former Savannah Police Officer Amber Harpe shared her credentials with her husband, Tyler Harpe, identified in the investigation as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
Harpe was fired in August after the department determined she violated its policies.
In a statement to WJCL, Savannah city officials said unauthorized access to police technology violates department policy and public trust. Officials also said another agency’s law enforcement mission does not automatically authorize access to Savannah’s system.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff pointed to the case as an example of why he believes stronger federal privacy protections are needed.
“We urgently need a federal privacy law to protect our privacy from big tech companies, who spy on us on our phones and social media. To protect us from flock cameras, that are being improperly accessed by folks, who are using that information to target innocent people,” Ossoff said.
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The candidates competing for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District also weighed in.
Republican nominee Jim Kingston said local and federal law enforcement should work together to address public safety threats but cautioned against excessive government surveillance.
“Public safety and protecting our constitutional freedoms are not mutually exclusive, and that includes ensuring sensitive law enforcement information is accessed and shared appropriately,” Kingston said.
Democratic nominee Amanda Hollowell criticized the use of Flock data for immigration enforcement and called for greater oversight.
“Public officials must be held accountable for their behavior that breaches the public trust, up to and including termination,” Hollowell said.
Hollowell also called for public reporting, stronger safeguards and independent audits of surveillance technology.
Rick Jackson, a Republican candidate for Georgia governor, also called for transparency and accountability. His campaign spokesman said tools intended to keep communities safe should not be used in ways that undermine public trust.
Investigators attributed 983 searches involving 97 identifiable license plates across Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina to the activity reviewed between January and July 2026. Investigators also identified 788 searches involving 48 South Carolina plates and reported that most registered owners in that group were Hispanic.
The investigation found no state-law violation or personal financial motive. However, the department determined that sharing credentials violated its policies and raised information-security and public-trust concerns.
Harpe was not among the employees arrested in separate criminal cases involving other Savannah police employees accused of misusing Flock data. Her administrative appeals were denied, and she later withdrew her Civil Service Board appeal.
WJCL reported that it also sought comment from several other officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, but had not received responses at the time of publication.
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