New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody has recommended firing two officers following the completion of internal affairs investigations stemming from an extensive audit of the department’s automated license plate reader use.

 

During a press conference Thursday morning, city officials unveiled the outcomes of those investigations, which concluded that Officer Emily Pacheco and Sgt. James Marinelli violated multiple policies by misusing ALPR technology.

 

Thody ordered a comprehensive audit and procedural review of the department’s Flock Safety system on July 31. That same day, investigators identified activity by Pacheco that indicated possible unauthorized access, and she was immediately suspended, according to Thody.

 

Last month, New Bedford paused the use of its Flock cameras after a woman accused her ex-girlfriend, Pacheco, of using the system to follow her. Pacheco was subsequently put on paid administrative leave and a civil restraining order will remain in place until February 2027.

 

The investigation into Pacheco reportedly revealed a vast pattern of misconduct. Thody said she repeatedly used department resources to obtain information about a former romantic partner and that person’s new partner.

 

See more at wpri.com.