Former Rocky River Police officer indicted for illegal computer searches

Ex-Rocky River officer charged with using databases to spy on students, others: 'Absolute concern'

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (WJW) - A former Rocky River police officer has been indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury on charges that he used police databases to conduct searches that had no legitimate law enforcement purpose. Between 2013 and 2023, Michael Bernhardt served as a school resource officer at Rocky River High School, where he was accused two years ago of having inappropriate relationships with female students. According to the indictment,…

Ex-Rocky River officer indicted on illegally searching database charges

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging former Rocky River police officer on illegally searching Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway and Law Enforcement Automated Database System over 70 times in a 10-year span. Michael Bernhardt, 54, is facing 11 counts of unauthorized use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway, one count of unauthorized use of the Law Enforcement Auto…

Former Rocky River officer indicted by grand jury: accused of searching databases of woman, students

A grand jury indicted a former Rocky River police officer for allegedly using two state law enforcement databases to get information about women and high school students.

Former Rocky River Police officer indicted for illegal computer searches

"Michael Bernhardt's blatant and egregious pattern of disregarding citizens' — including minors' — privacy rights is outrageous, especially for a police officer," said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley.

Former Rocky River police officer charged with illegal database searches

Prosecutors say Michael Bernhardt, previously accused of inappropriate student relationships, conducted 77 illegal searches between 2013 and 2023 through law enforcement databases.

Former Rocky River police officer Michael Bernhardt indicted on multiple charges: See the allegations

'Michael Bernhardt’s blatant and egregious pattern of disregarding citizens’ -- including minors’ -- privacy rights is outrageous, especially for a police officer.'