Documented Incident
Athens-Clarke County police fire civilian supervisor over alleged Flock searches of ex-wife
Event: August 28, 2026 · First reported: August 28, 2026 · 5 sources
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said it fired criminal intelligence analyst supervisor Nick Barker after an internal investigation found he allegedly ran his ex-wife's license plate through the department's Flock system numerous times over several months in 2025. The department said it received a complaint from the woman on Thursday and opened an investigation immediately, with the chief terminating Barker based on initial findings. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked to conduct an independent criminal investigation while the department's Office of Professional Standards continues an administrative review. No criminal charges had been announced as of the department's August 28, 2026 announcement.
The case illustrates how ALPR databases can be queried for personal reasons by authorized users, and it turns on whether agencies audit searches proactively or only after someone files a complaint.
Key facts
- Fired employee identified by police as Nick Barker, a criminal intelligence analyst supervisor
- Alleged improper searches of his ex-wife's vehicle tag occurred over several months in 2025
- Complaint filed Thursday; termination and announcement followed by Friday, August 28, 2026
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation asked to run an independent criminal investigation; no charges announced
- Chief Jerry Saulters said department policy bars personal use of the system and pledged a full review of ACCPD's ALPR use
- Unknown whether access controls or policies will change as a result
Timeline
- August 28, 2026Athens-Clarke County police fire employee over alleged Flock camera misuse
- August 29, 2026Ga. police employee fired, facing criminal investigation for allegedly misusing Flock cameras
- August 28, 2026ACCPD employee fired for Flock camera misuse
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Athens-Clarke County police fire employee over alleged Flock camera misuse (FOX 5 Atlanta, August 28, 2026)
- Supervisor with Athens-Clarke County Police fired for misusing Flock license plate reader (11Alive.com, August 28, 2026)
- Ga. police employee fired, facing criminal investigation for allegedly misusing Flock cameras (Https://www.wrdw.com, August 29, 2026)
- Athens police employee fired, facing criminal investigation for allegedly misusing Flock cameras (Atlanta News First, August 28, 2026)
- ACCPD employee fired for Flock camera misuse (The Red & Black, August 28, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated August 31, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.