Two Reynoldsburg police officers have resigned and are under investigation over alleged misuse of the city's FLOCK camera system.
Mayor Joe Begeny said Aug. 4 that the two officers resigned over misusing FLOCK cameras. Begeny couldn't say what the officers did that constituted misuse of the cameras, but said that the city has "very specific policies" on how officers can use FLOCK cameras, and that any officer who violates the policy is subject to punishment, up to and including criminal charges.
According to data from the Ohio Police Officer Training Commission, two officers resigned from the Reynoldsburg Police Department in July: Alissa Birkhimer and Mark Nichols II. Both officers resigned while under investigation, according to filings with
the commission.
Birkhimer resigned from the department on July 16 after serving 9½ years with the police division. Nichols served for 3½ years and resigned on July 13.
Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Dewey R. Stokes Capital City Lodge No. 9, said he was aware of the resignations and added that the union would not pursue arbitration on behalf of the officers.
But Steel said he was unaware that Nichols was under investigation for FLOCK usage. According to Steel, Nichols retired due to his diagnosis of ALS and said that he was in a wheelchair and unable to speak.
"The reported misuse of Flock Safety camera technology by two former Reynoldsburg police officers is a serious matter," Brian Toth, executive vice president of the Capital City Lodge, said in a written statement.
"We understand that both officers are no longer employed by the Reynoldsburg Police Department. While personnel actions have been taken, it remains important that any review of the incident be conducted fairly, objectively, and based on the facts," Toth said.
"The FOP does not support the misuse of law enforcement technology or violations of department policy. We also believe accountability must be accompanied by due process and consistency in the application of standards. Our Lodge remains committed to supporting ethical policing, preserving public trust, and ensuring that accountability and fairness go hand in hand."
FLOCK cameras, which automatically read and retain license plate information through artificial intelligence, have made national headlines in recent months. Law enforcement agencies that use FLOCK cameras say the cameras have many useful purposes, including finding stolen cars, tracking criminals, and locating missing persons. However, the cameras have come under scrutiny over privacy concerns and their ability to track someone's comings and goings.
In Columbus, The Dispatch has reported that the city's FLOCK cameras may have been used to aid in immigration enforcement.
This is a breaking news story. Check back at Dispatch.com for more updates.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Two Reynoldsburg officers resign amid probe over alleged FLOCK camera misuse
