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Georgia Arrests Multiply as Audits Find Officers Misused Flock License‑Plate Records

Internal audit logs that record who searched plates are exposing personal searches, driving prosecutions, prompting firings, prompting policy reviews and prompting contract scrutiny

Overview

  • DeKalb County announced Friday that former Sgt. Kabiru Salawu was arrested, fired and charged with felony violation of his oath of office and misdemeanor misuse of license plate data after an internal review found unauthorized searches.
  • The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that Lt. John McKenzie, Investigator Curtis Hoskins and Deputy Joshua Johnson turned themselves in, were charged with misuse of Flock readers and violation of oath of office, and have been terminated.
  • Internal audits and Flock Safety’s immutable audit logs, which record who searched a plate, when and the reason entered, have been the primary tool agencies used to trace improper queries back to individual officers.
  • Reporting shows the problem is broadening across Georgia, with at least ten recent arrests reported and dozens of officers in metro Atlanta disciplined or fired as investigations expanded over the past weeks.
  • Privacy groups are pressing for local ordinances requiring more transparency and tighter access rules, Flock says its audit tools helped expose misuse, and prosecutors and agencies are reviewing contracts and evidence as investigations continue.