A former Indiana sheriff's deputy has been charged with felony official misconduct and misdemeanor fraud after authorities allege he abused access to Flock Safety camera technology to stalk his girlfriend. Skylar Thompson, 31, was charged by the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office following an internal audit that revealed more than 2,000 searches for a single license plate between December 31, 2025, and August 2. Thompson resigned from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department the day he was confronted about the alleged misuse.
The charges stem from an investigation initiated after the department's internal audit flagged irregularities in Thompson's use of Flock cameras. Prosecutors allege Thompson falsified the purpose of his searches, listing them as "city planning/traffic analysis" despite never being assigned duties related to either task. The agency subsequently requested an investigation by the Indiana State Police, and Thompson turned himself in to authorities on Monday.
Thompson is accused of driving to his girlfriend's home and admitting to the misuse of the surveillance system, according to a report by WKBN-TV. The case has drawn attention to the broader use of Flock Safety cameras—license plate readers deployed in communities nationwide—as concerns about privacy and accountability grow. Flock Safety, the company behind the technology, has faced increasing scrutiny over the potential for misuse of its systems by law enforcement.
Legal and Policy Context
The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office emphasized the importance of responsible use of sensitive investigative tools, stating: "Law enforcement officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information and investigative tools, and that access must be used responsibly and only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. No person is above the law, including those entrusted with enforcing it." The case has prompted discussions about the need for stricter oversight of surveillance technologies, with critics arguing that current safeguards may be insufficient to prevent abuse.
Flock Safety has previously defended its technology, asserting that it provides critical crime-fighting capabilities when used appropriately. However, the company has also acknowledged the need for constitutional guardrails, with a spokesperson stating that misuse by individuals does not reflect the intended purpose of the system. The incident has reignited debates about the balance between public safety and privacy rights, particularly as law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on automated license plate readers to monitor vehicle movements.
Background on Flock Safety Cameras
Flock Safety cameras are deployed in towns across the United States as part of a network of license plate readers designed to assist law enforcement in crime prevention and investigation. The technology captures and stores license plate data, allowing authorities to track vehicle movements over time. While proponents argue that such systems enhance public safety by enabling quicker responses to criminal activity, critics warn that the widespread use of license plate readers poses significant privacy risks, including the potential for mass surveillance and data misuse.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Department has not publicly detailed the specific protocols in place for monitoring access to Flock camera systems, but the case has highlighted the need for stronger internal controls and auditing mechanisms to prevent similar incidents. The outcome of Thompson's case may influence future policies governing the use of surveillance technologies by law enforcement agencies.