A Georgia Cop Used Flock to Track 2 Other Cops: His Ex and Her Friend
A Georgia police officer, Dustin Bozzo, allegedly misused Flock Safety's automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) 56 times to track his former romantic partner, a fellow officer, and then 29 times to track another officer and 18 times for his ex's uncle.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
The incident in Alpharetta, Georgia, highlights a growing concern about police officers misusing powerful surveillance technology like Flock Safety's ALPRs for personal reasons, such as stalking former partners. The case reveals how easily such tools can be abused, leading to internal investigations and criminal charges.
Imagine a special camera that can read every car's license plate as it drives by, like a super-smart detective. A police officer in Georgia used this camera, called Flock, not to catch bad guys, but to secretly watch where his ex-girlfriend, another police officer, and even her friend were driving. He looked up their cars many times, pretending it was for police work. This shows that even cool technology needs strict rules so people don't use it for their own personal reasons instead of helping everyone.
Analysis
The case of Dustin Bozzo in Alpharetta, Georgia, brings into sharp focus the escalating issue of law enforcement officers misusing advanced surveillance technologies for personal vendettas. Bozzo, a former patrolman, stands accused of leveraging Flock Safety's automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) to conduct an extensive and unauthorized surveillance campaign. His actions began with tracking a former romantic partner, a fellow officer, performing 56 searches on her vehicle. This quickly escalated to include another police officer, whose car was searched 29 times, and even his ex-partner's uncle, whose vehicle was queried 18 times after she borrowed it. Bozzo's alleged justifications for these searches, such as 'Wanted Person' or 'Traffic Infraction,' were reportedly false, indicating a deliberate attempt to circumvent protocol. This incident is not isolated, reflecting a broader pattern of ALPR misuse across the country.
Dustin Bozzo
Dustin Bozzo's alleged actions represent a significant breach of trust and departmental policy. The internal report by Sergeant Jabbar Braithwaite details how Bozzo admitted to a fling with a fellow officer, a relationship that violated the city's ban on workplace dating. Despite claiming the breakup was mutual and amicable, his subsequent use of Flock Safety's system to track her vehicle, and later others associated with her, suggests a more troubling motivation. Bozzo's explanation that he was merely ensuring her safe arrival home or that selecting false search categories was 'just a quick keystroke' fails to account for the sheer volume and persistence of his unauthorized queries.
The fallout for Bozzo has been swift and severe. He was placed on paid leave on July 20 and resigned on August 5, following an internal investigation by the Alpharetta Police Department. Beyond the departmental consequences, a criminal investigation is actively underway, indicating the seriousness with which authorities are treating the misuse of this technology. This progression from internal disciplinary action to potential criminal charges highlights the gravity of abusing powerful surveillance tools for personal, non-official purposes.
Flock Safety
Flock Safety's ALPR technology, while marketed as a tool for public safety, has become a recurring feature in reports of police misconduct. The system's ability to capture and log vehicle movements provides law enforcement with an incredibly powerful, yet equally invasive, means of tracking individuals. The article notes at least 45 documented incidents nationwide where police officers have misused Flock systems to track current or former romantic partners, underscoring a systemic vulnerability in how this technology is deployed and governed. The company's silence on the Alpharetta incident, as noted by WIRED, raises questions about its responsibility in preventing such abuses.
The ease with which officers like Bozzo can access and manipulate the system for personal ends points to potential shortcomings in Flock Safety's internal controls or the implementation guidelines provided to law enforcement agencies. While the technology itself is designed to aid investigations, its power necessitates robust safeguards against unauthorized access and misuse. The recurring nature of these incidents suggests that current protocols, whether at the vendor or agency level, are insufficient to prevent personal exploitation of these surveillance capabilities.
Alpharetta Police Department
The Alpharetta Police Department's response to the allegations against Bozzo demonstrates a commitment to addressing misconduct within its ranks. Chief Trent Lindgren emphasized the department's high standards and the immediate action taken once the misuse was identified. The internal investigation, led by Sergeant Jabbar Braithwaite, meticulously documented Bozzo's actions and admissions, providing a clear record of the alleged abuse. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining public trust, especially when sensitive technologies are involved.
Prior to the ALPR misuse, the department had already taken steps to address the inappropriate workplace relationship between Bozzo and his ex-partner, issuing a 'written directive' and separating the officers. However, the subsequent escalation to surveillance highlights the challenges law enforcement agencies face in controlling personal conduct, particularly when officers have access to powerful tools. The ongoing criminal investigation signifies the department's intent to hold individuals accountable not just internally, but also through the legal system, reinforcing the message that such abuses will not be tolerated.
Key points
- Dustin Bozzo, a Georgia patrolman, allegedly used Flock Safety ALPRs 56 times to track his ex-partner, a fellow officer.
- He also tracked another police officer 29 times and his ex-partner's uncle 18 times using the same system.
- Bozzo reportedly selected false reasons like 'Wanted Person' or 'Traffic Infraction' for his unauthorized searches.
- The Alpharetta Police Department placed Bozzo on paid leave, leading to his resignation, and initiated a criminal investigation.
- This incident is part of a broader trend, with at least 45 documented cases of police officers misusing Flock ALPRs to stalk romantic partners nationwide.
The Alpharetta Police Department's swift internal investigation and ongoing criminal probe demonstrate a commitment to accountability, which could lead to stronger policies and better oversight for ALPR use across other departments. This incident may serve as a critical case study, prompting law enforcement agencies and technology providers to implement more robust safeguards against misuse.
The repeated incidents of police officers misusing ALPR technology for personal reasons suggest a systemic vulnerability that may be difficult to fully address, potentially eroding public trust in law enforcement and surveillance tools. Without significant changes in policy, training, and accountability, such abuses could continue, leading to increased privacy concerns and calls for restrictions on these technologies.
