Another Cop Has Been Accused Of Using Flock Cameras To Stalk Her Ex-Girlfriend
The controversial surveillance system has been a hot topic this year.
A Massachusetts police officer is under investigation after using the controversial Flock cameras to track her ex-girlfriend.
Officer Emily Pacheco of the New Bedford Police Department was served with an abuse prevention order earlier this month after her ex-girlfriend accused her of stalking and harassment. According to The New Bedford Light, the ex alleged that the harassment started in April, following the end of their two year relationship. She said in an affidavit that she received “endless calls” from Pacheco—including ones from fake numbers—and that Pacheco repeatedly showed up at her home while on duty.
“As of recently, there is an open [Internal Affairs] investigation of her running my [license] plate through Flock to follow me,” she wrote. The president of the police union confirmed to The New Bedford Light that an IA investigation into the officer is ongoing, although he did not specify why.
The use of Flock cameras is particularly notable, as the company has increasingly faced backlash this year related to their surveillance network. While Flock claims their cameras help the police solve crimes, there have been an alarming number of allegations of misuse among officers. There have also been broader concerns relating to warrantless mass surveillance and immigration enforcement.
In court last Thursday, Pacheco admitted to using Flock to run her ex-girlfriend’s license plate number, but insisted it was related to her work as a police officer. The court ultimately extended a protective order against Pacheco for six months.
Additionally, the New Bedford Police Department has suspended its use of Flock cameras for the time being, joining the growing number of towns reconsider their use of the controversial technology.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that any technology used by the department supports public safety while protecting the members of the community we serve,” Police Chief Jason Thody said in a statement. “Flock can be a valuable investigative tool, but we also recognize that technologies like this raise legitimate questions about privacy, access, information sharing, and oversight. We need to make sure that if we continue using this technology, we do so responsibly and in a way that serves the public.”
