Published • loading... • Updated
Two New Bedford police officers fired over misuse of Flock cameras
An internal investigation found personal searches and other misconduct, and the city suspended Flock use while officials review future safeguards.
- On Thursday, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the termination of Officer Emily Pacheco and Sgt. James Marinelli following internal investigations that found both misused Flock Safety's automated license plate reader system.
- Investigators determined Pacheco repeatedly accessed department resources to track a former romantic partner and that person's new associate, while Marinelli used the cameras to conduct 'searches for personal reasons' regarding his own partner.
- The Professional Standards Unit investigation found Pacheco ignored procedures and 'engaged in conduct inconsistent with the standards expected of Department personnel,' prompting Police Chief Jason Thody to recommend terminations after pausing camera use in August.
- Responding to these findings, the New Bedford City Council voted 8-3 on Thursday to ban automated license plate readers entirely, with the ordinance now awaiting Mayor Mitchell's action.
- Officials are developing a 'regulatory framework' to guide any future ALPR use, while a separate audit covering the department's technology usage from December 2024 through 2025 remains underway.
Insights by Ground AI
12 Articles
12 Articles
2 New Bedford police officers fired for misuing Flock cameras - Boston News, Weather, Sports
Two New Bedford police officers were fired following internal investigations into their misuse of Flock Safety’s Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, New Bedford Mayor...
·Boston, United States
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Center
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
78% Center
L 22%
C 78%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
