LAGRANGE, Ga. — The LaGrange Police Department announced one officer was under investigation for possible misuse of the Flock Safety License Plate Recognition system.
According to the police department, one officer was detected potentially misusing the system between March and December 2025.
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Now, the City of LaGrange and the police department have a review underway.
“Police Chief Garrett Fiveash has consulted with other agencies that have handled confirmed LPR misuse cases to discuss possible audit red flags such as unusually high search volume tied to a single plate,” the department said in a statement. “Flock, one of the LPR companies used by the City, began providing access to its audit function late last year.”
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Before the possible misuse was discovered, LaGrange police said the agency had already added safeguards to prevent misuse.
Those safeguards include:
- Two-factor authentication to access the system
- Requiring the offense type, case number, and a written narrative for every search, enforced before a search can be run
- Monthly audits by the Office of Professional Standards, reported to the Chief’s Office
- Automated notifications of unusual activity
- An updated LPR policy incorporating newer camera and crime center technology
The department said it was an early adopter of LPR technology and has had a governing use policy since 2018.
“License Plate Recognition technology is an important public safety tool, but with that capability comes a responsibility to ensure it is used appropriately,” Fiveash said. “We will be diligent in protecting the privacy of our citizenry, as well as ensuring that this very valuable tool is not abused. We have used this system to great effect, and it has solved or helped to solve numerous cases for our department during my tenure here.”
Fiveash confirmed to Channel 2 Action News on Thursday that the unidentified officer was placed on leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.
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