Documented Incident
Decatur, Alabama officer on administrative duty amid ALPR misuse investigation
Event: June 12, 2026 · First reported: September 15, 2026 · 8 sources
The Decatur Police Department said it learned on June 12, 2026 of possible misuse of its automated license plate recognition system by an officer, who was placed on administrative duty. The department opened an internal administrative inquiry, and Police Chief Torry Mack requested an independent criminal investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Both investigations are ongoing, and the department said it would not release further details to protect the process. No findings have been announced and no charges have been reported.
Allegations of officers querying plate-reader databases improperly are a recurring test of whether agencies can audit and police their own use of surveillance tools, and Decatur's referral to an outside agency offers a point of comparison for other departments handling similar claims.
Key facts
- Decatur PD said it became aware of possible ALPR misuse on June 12, 2026 and began an investigation.
- The officer involved was reassigned to administrative duty; the officer has not been publicly named.
- Chief Torry Mack asked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to conduct an independent criminal investigation.
- Administrative and criminal investigations are proceeding at the same time; no conclusions or charges have been announced.
- The department said no additional details would be released while the investigations are active.
Timeline
- September 15, 2026Decatur officer reassigned, under investigation for license plate reader misuse
- September 16, 2026Decatur police officer under investigation for possible misuse of license plate reader system
- September 15, 2026Decatur police officer under investigation for alleged misuse of Flock safety cameras
- September 21, 2026Decatur police officer under investigation for alleged misuse of Flock cameras
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Decatur officer reassigned, under investigation for license plate reader misuse (WAFF, September 15, 2026)
- Decatur police officer under investigation for possible misuse of license plate reader system (1819 News, September 16, 2026)
- Decatur police officer under investigation for alleged misuse of Flock safety cameras (Newsbreak, September 16, 2026)
- Decatur officer reassigned, under investigation for license plate reader misuse (WAFF, September 15, 2026)
- Decatur police officer investigated over possible misuse of Flock camera (Decatur Daily, September 16, 2026)
- Decatur police officer under investigation for alleged misuse of Flock cameras (Yellowhammer News, September 17, 2026)
- Decatur police officer under investigation for alleged misuse of Flock safety cameras (WAFF, September 15, 2026)
- Decatur police officer under investigation for alleged misuse of Flock cameras (256 Today, September 21, 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 September 24, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.