Tag

Police Misconduct

All articles tagged with #police misconduct

politics2 days ago

Hawley opens probe into police use of Flock Safety cameras and safeguards

Sen. Josh Hawley is investigating Flock Safety over concerns that its network of traffic cameras has been misused by police to track individuals and potentially cause false arrests. He has sent a letter requesting documents on misuse, data retention policies, surveillance capabilities, and safeguards, with a Sept. 8 deadline for responses. Flock Safety says it will cooperate and explain how its technology works and the safeguards in place.

Jeju bodies deepen Korea missing-persons scandal as police reform looms
world2 days ago

Jeju bodies deepen Korea missing-persons scandal as police reform looms

Four bodies have been found on Jeju Island amid a widening scandal over police mishandling missing-person cases, including the death of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran. A police sergeant, Bu, is accused of lying to families and prematurely closing cases, leading to administrative leave for four officers and a government-led push to reform the police. Authorities say Bu may have handled nearly 300 cases, prompting scrutiny of police discipline just as Seoul pursues reforms shifting investigative powers from prosecutors to the police. Jeju’s popularity as a tourist destination is contrasted with concerns about how missing persons cases are handled in South Korea.

Ex-Phoenix officers admit role in violent unmarked traffic stop
crime5 days ago

Ex-Phoenix officers admit role in violent unmarked traffic stop

Two former Phoenix police officers, Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez Jr., admitted involvement in a violent unmarked traffic stop in which they followed a Dodge Charger, struck its rear bumper, forced the occupants out, tased and punched the driver, and threatened to shoot; investigators say they violated policy by not using body cameras, radios, or reporting the incident, and they face multiple felonies including aggravated assault, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, hindering prosecution, and threatening. Bond is $100,000 for each.

Unreported Stop Sparks Arrests and Firing of Phoenix Officers
us-news5 days ago

Unreported Stop Sparks Arrests and Firing of Phoenix Officers

Two Phoenix police officers, Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez, were fired and arrested after a violent Aug. 5 traffic stop that was not reported and reportedly lacked body-camera footage. Investigators say the officers assaulted a man and a woman, smashed the car window, and used a Taser during the stop; the victims described being punched and shocked. The officers face charges including aggravated assault and kidnapping, and the case proceeded to a special investigations unit after discovering probable crime evidence despite no video. Vasquez has been released; Felix remains jailed as they await court proceedings.

Flock Safety tightens leash on police use of license-plate readers
technology15 days ago

Flock Safety tightens leash on police use of license-plate readers

Amid a wave of alleged police misuse of Flock Safety’s license-plate reader network, the company announced new safeguards: every search must have a stated reason and case code with the offense type; audit-assistance becomes mandatory; officers are locked out in real time pending review; data retention drops to seven days (except for ongoing cases); and cross-department access can be restricted. The update aims to curb abuse while preserving public-safety benefits like solving missing-persons and theft cases, though privacy advocates remain wary.

Baltimore officer indicted for faking traffic stops to dodge calls
crime18 days ago

Baltimore officer indicted for faking traffic stops to dodge calls

Baltimore police officer Dequwan Houchins, 30, is indicted on four counts of false entry and five counts of misconduct for allegedly recording traffic stops he didn’t make to dodge service calls. An undercover sting showed nine legitimate and eight illegitimate stops, and he reportedly sat idle or ordered a smoothie while claiming to be stopping, with no required body-camera footage filed. If convicted on the false-entry charges, he could face up to 12 years in prison and $4,000 in fines per count; officials condemned the alleged misconduct.

Six SPD Employees Fired Over Personal Use of License-Plate Reader System
local20 days ago

Six SPD Employees Fired Over Personal Use of License-Plate Reader System

The Savannah Police Department terminated four sworn officers and two civilian employees after an internal investigation found misuse of the Flock Safety license plate reader system, including searches of personal acquaintances and sharing access with an outside agency. The findings led to the implementation of weekly audits and safeguards, and the cases have been referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for independent criminal review. The GBI investigation is ongoing and the names of the employees have not been released.

Mooresville Officer Charged Over Personal Use of Flock LPR to Track Ex-Wife
crime-and-public-safety21 days ago

Mooresville Officer Charged Over Personal Use of Flock LPR to Track Ex-Wife

Mooresville Police Officer Elizabeth Snowman was arrested on a charge of Accessing Computers after investigators say she used the department’s Flock license plate reader system for personal reasons, accessing the database 31 times (including on off-duty occasions) and allegedly denying it when questioned; she was booked into the Iredell County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond, highlighting ongoing privacy concerns about how LPR data is stored and shared.

North Carolina officer accused of using license-plate readers to stalk ex-wife
crime22 days ago

North Carolina officer accused of using license-plate readers to stalk ex-wife

A Mooresville, NC police officer, Elizabeth Snowman, is charged with accessing the department's Flock license-plate reader system 31 times for personal use to track her boyfriend's ex-wife, including while off duty. The misconduct prompted an internal audit and the department is reviewing 10 more potential cases. Flock defends its technology but emphasizes accountability and proper use. Snowman faces court on Aug. 27.

Exposed bias in investigations: Read sues MSP and Canton PD over racist text messages
investigations2 months ago

Exposed bias in investigations: Read sues MSP and Canton PD over racist text messages

Karen Read filed a civil lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and Canton Police, alleging a “culture of bigotry” based on racist and misogynistic messages by two investigators involved in her boyfriend’s death case. The suit accuses the agencies of negligent hiring/training and seeks a jury trial and damages; one officer was fired and the other resigned amid misconduct allegations, while Read, who was acquitted in a separate murder trial, remains at the center of the case surrounding police culture and accountability.

NYPD probes after video shows officers beating man during undercover arrest in Brooklyn
policing4 months ago

NYPD probes after video shows officers beating man during undercover arrest in Brooklyn

New York City police opened an internal affairs investigation after videos surfaced showing two officers punching and kicking a man during an undercover drug operation in Brooklyn; the man had matched a suspect description but was later found not to be involved in the drug sale. The officers were placed on desk duty with guns and shields removed, and the Brooklyn DA later dropped the initial resisting-arrest charge. City leaders condemned the incident and called for accountability as the department reviews the footage.

Brooklyn arrest video spurs police misconduct inquiry
crime4 months ago

Brooklyn arrest video spurs police misconduct inquiry

Video footage circulating online shows two NYPD officers from the Narcotics Bureau repeatedly punching, kicking and dragging a man during a Brooklyn arrest. The officers were stripped of their weapons and shields, placed on desk duty, and placed under Internal Affairs investigation; Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the videos deeply disturbing, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned them.

Ex-police officer's son wrongly sanctioned, review reveals
local-news8 months ago

Ex-police officer's son wrongly sanctioned, review reveals

A review found that Theo Rose, the son of a former police officer, was misled by West Midlands Police into accepting a community resolution for violence he did not admit to, leading to the resolution being rescinded and an apology issued. The case highlights issues with police handling of low-level offences and the potential impact on individuals' futures.