Home / Crime and Justice / Indiana Cop Charged in License Plate Scheme
Indiana Cop Charged in License Plate Scheme
24 Oct
Summary
- Officer Justin Craig misused Flock cameras extensively.
- Searches targeted his wife and a prior acquaintance.
- Investigation began after a Washington Post reporter's tip.
Georgetown police officer Justin Craig has been arrested and charged with official misconduct and fraud. Investigations revealed he misused Flock cameras, conducting numerous unauthorized searches of license plates belonging to his wife and a woman he knew through her.
Court documents indicate Craig searched his wife's license plate more than 80 times and a former acquaintance's plate nearly 250 times between January and July of this year. These searches were reportedly not tied to any official police investigations.
An internal review by the Georgetown police department concluded that Craig intentionally mislabeled these searches to appear justified, using subjects like narcotics and assault. The investigation was initiated after a Washington Post reporter alerted the Georgetown police chief.
In response to the allegations, Craig's attorney stated that the conduct did not violate any law or department policy and that Flock technology is widely available. The attorney suggested that if laws need to be written, that conversation should occur before officers are charged.
Flock cameras are automated license plate readers used by thousands of law enforcement agencies. The company has faced scrutiny over privacy concerns, and in August, its CEO announced steps to audit police use of its technology.
