Columbus police have found that an officer who searched Flock surveillance cameras with the search reason as "ICE" multiple times in 2025 was following department rules.
"After the chain of command reviewed the investigation into (the officer's) use of Flock database, he was found to be within policy," Sgt. James Fuqua, a police spokesperson, told The Dispatch on Sept. 11.
No other information was immediately available. The Dispatch has requested the investigation files.
Six searches from the officer came within 10 minutes after 9 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2025.
The officer was searching the network of AI-powered automated license plate cameras for a GMC pickup
that could have been silver or grey. Half of his searches included just one network and the other half included 287 Flock networks, according to audit data The Dispatch obtained through a public records request.
Using Flock for immigration enforcement has been a sticking point for those who oppose the constant surveillance from the solar-powered cameras. Columbus has banned the use of city resources for immigration enforcement since 2017.
The searches for "ICE" in February 2025 came before Flock implemented a standardized drop-down menu for search reason. Before the change, data shows officers posting myriad reasons for their searches.
A department leader used Flock to search for ICE vehicles dozens of times during Operation Buckeye in December 2025, but his search reasons were mostly classified as "other." Deputy Chief Tim Myers said he was using Flock to monitor ICE vehicles as federal agents were not sharing plans.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced Sept. 3 the city would be pausing Flock searches and placing bags over cameras after The Dispatch raised questions about potential misuse of the system by an officer who searched for the same license plate hundreds of times. Police Chief Elaine Bryant said those searches were not related to law enforcement.
Anna Lynn Winfrey is a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police clear officer in 'ICE' search of Flock cameras
