An officer is no longer employed with the Wrightsville Beach Police Department after an investigation found that they had misused the town's Flock Safety database.
Wrightsville Beach police "identified a discrepancy involving a police officer with access to the Flock Safety system" while conducting an audit, according to a news release from the department. WBPD immediately opened an internal investigation and notified the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney's office to determine if the individual had violated any policies.
The release did not specify if the officer was fired or resigned, but notes that "appropriate administrative action was taken in response to the matter."
SBI Public Information Director Chad Flowers said
that the investigation is still ongoing and that he could not release the name of the officer.
The Wrightsville Beach Police Department has an unwavering commitment to protecting others and exemplifying the best of public service," said Chief of Police Jason Bishop in the news release. "Our actions are guided by the core values of honor, integrity, courage, and service, while promoting transparency as we protect and serve our community. That commitment reflects the high standards established by the Wrightsville Beach Police Department and the expectation of the community we serve."
Wrightsville Beach police began using Flock in March, allowing the town to identify suspects involved in hit and runs, recover stolen property and help resolve a missing person case. Leadership elected to conduct an early audit to ensure that the system was being used appropriately in accordance with state law and town policy, the release stated.
The announcement came within hours of New Hanover County's decision to terminate its Flock contract. Wrightsville Beach has a separate deal with the company and is not impacted by the termination. The town has four cameras that have read 135,951 unique license plates over the past 30 days, according to its transparency portal.
Flock has also been making waves across the river in Brunswick County. A former Brunswick County Sheriff's Office employee is under state investigation following alleged misuse of the Flock Safety license plate reader system.
On Sept. 1, Southport resident Jeremiah Baley III was arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a Flock camera, solar panel and pole. Court records state that the property was owned by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and was valued at $1,650. Baley has been charged with felony larceny and possession of stolen goods/property.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wrightsville Beach police officer ousted after alleged Flock misuse
