LYNN, Mass.- Two Lynn police officers were placed on paid administrative leave after an audit of searches conducted through the department’s Flock Safety license plate reader system identified anomalies that required further review.
The Lynn Police Department implemented Flock Safety’s Audit Assist tool on August 12. According to the department, the initial audit identified anomalies in searches, and a subsequent review revealed a concerning pattern in some searches.
The findings prompted the department to place the two officers on leave and launch an Internal Affairs investigation.
The department said it is conducting a thorough and impartial investigation and will determine the relevant facts before reaching any conclusions. If an officer is found to have conducted searches in violation of department policy, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
The department also said that, based on its detailed analysis, none of the searches involved or pertained to immigration enforcement.
As the investigation continues, access to the Flock system has been restricted to supervisory personnel holding the rank of lieutenant or higher. The department is also reviewing its License Plate Reader policy to determine whether additional safeguards, accountability measures and oversight procedures are needed.
Lynn police said they have also strengthened oversight by requiring regular and ongoing use of Flock’s Audit Assist tool to help identify and investigate potentially improper searches.
The department said it uses license plate reader technology, including Flock Safety products, to help locate wanted people, investigate criminal activity, search for missing people and, in some cases, exonerate people who may have been falsely accused.
According to the department, the technology has been used in investigations involving homicide, gun violence, breaking and entering and hit-and-run incidents.
The department said it will continue evaluating additional policy, training and auditing measures as its review proceeds.
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