New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody said Tuesday the department is temporarily suspending its Flock camera system after an audit resulted in “internal investigations” and an officer being placed on paid administrative leave.

 

“Our responsibility is to ensure that any technology used by the department supports public safety while protecting the members of the community we serve,” Thody said in a statement.

 

New Bedford police spokesperson Holly Huntoon declined to name the officer on leave. But she said the officer was placed on restrictive desk duty on Aug. 1, “at which time their access to department systems and databases was restricted.” The officer was then put on paid leave Monday, she added.

 

According to The New Bedford Light, the announcement comes one day after the news outlet inquired about “allegations that a patrol officer used the system to track her ex-girlfriend.”

 

Thody said the department stated using the license plate reader technology in 2024, prior to his tenure. As part of the review, Thody said the department will look at how the cameras were used in past criminal investigations and if they supported public safety.

 

Huntoon added that “any anomalies are being investigated,” adding police would not publicly disclose any internal investigations that emerge while the process is ongoing.

 

See more at wpri.com.