(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department is self-reporting an internal Flock camera violation that has resulted in the resignation of an officer.
According to an announcement Friday evening, MCPD discovered questionable searches conducted by an officer during a routine audit of Flock system activity.
Noting a violation of department policy, the department immediately initiated an internal investigation and placed the officer on administrative leave. That officer then resigned while the investigation was underway, police said. Once the investigation is complete, they will forward the findings to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch weighed in on the incident. “Public trust requires transparency and accountability, particularly when the City uses technology that gives law enforcement access to sensitive information,” Nelson Deuitch said. “Our residents have every right to expect that these tools will be used lawfully, ethically and only for legitimate public-safety purposes. When that trust is violated, we have a responsibility to identify it, address it and be transparent with the public about what occurred.”
Public debate has increased on the use of Flock technology in Michigan City, as the police department there has pressed the city’s Common Council for funds to expand the system. MCPD is holding itself accountable for the recent violation.
“Misuse of law-enforcement technology will not be tolerated,” Police Chief Steven Forker said. “Our officers are entrusted with access to sensitive systems, and we expect that access to be used appropriately and only for legitimate law-enforcement purposes. In this instance, our auditing process identified a concern, and we acted immediately.”
The department is not releasing additional details, as the investigation remains ongoing. Officials say they will continue to conduct routine audits of Flock system activity and review compliance with department policies to help ensure the technology is being used appropriately and to hold users accountable when violations occur.
