Ohio police officer indicted for alleged misuse of Flock surveillance cameras

A grand jury in Hamilton County, Ohio, indicted Sharonville Police Department Lieutenant Walter Cordes on October 13 on a fifth-degree felony charge of unauthorized use of computer or telecommunication property. Fortune, Yahoo, MotorBiscuit, and WHIO TV reported that the officer allegedly used his department's automated license plate reader cameras to track an acquaintance. [1][2][3][4]

According to Fortune, the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office stated that the 48-year-old lieutenant searched the automated camera system 29 times between December 19, 2024, and April 20, 2026. Investigators said he utilized the technology to monitor the individual's location for personal reasons completely unrelated to law enforcement duties. The indictment followed an internal department audit of the surveillance system. [1]

As FTMQ Business reported earlier, automated surveillance technology from vendor Flock has faced growing scrutiny over privacy and data security. Institutions elsewhere have attempted to terminate contracts with the provider over data sharing concerns, highlighting rising tension surrounding commercial surveillance tools. [5]

Fortune reported that the fifth-degree felony charge carries a potential sentence of up to one year in prison. The case highlights corporate and operational risks for public agencies adopting automated surveillance systems, where proper administrative audits are necessary to prevent personal misuse. [1]