Investigator resigns after allegations of misusing Flock Safety system, sheriff’s office says

The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office announced a corrections officer and deputy was arrested and charged with misuse of the agency’s Flock Safety technology.

The sheriff’s office said the now-former officer, Investigator Stephanie Howard, resigned from her position and voluntarily turned herself in.

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Howard was charged with violating oath of office, collecting, storing, sharing and destroying captured license plate data for law enforcement.

The alleged misconduct was flagged during a self-initiated audit of the BCSO Flock System’s use by the office.

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The audit “identified several suspicious inquiries conducted by Investigator Howard during a period lasting approximately six months.”

Sheriff Jud Smith initiated an internal investigation after the searches in question were flagged in the audit to identify any potential policy violations.

The sheriff’s office said Howard’s alleged activities were confirmed to be potentially criminal violations and the case was turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, at the sheriff’s office’s request.

Howard was released on a $7,500 bond.

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