A police lieutenant in a Cincinnati suburb has been indicted on a felony charge for allegedly using his department’s Flock license plate reader cameras to track someone he knew. Walter Cordes, 48, a lieutenant with the Sharonville Police Department, reportedly searched the Flock system 29 times between December 19, 2024, and April 20, 2026, to monitor an individual's whereabouts for personal reasons unrelated to law enforcement duties.
Internal Audit and Legal Consequences
The unauthorized searches were uncovered in June during a department audit of the surveillance system. Cordes self-reported the misuse and subsequently admitted to the actions during an interview, leading to an investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. On October 13, a grand jury indicted him on one count of unauthorized use of a computer, cable, or telecommunication property—a fifth-degree felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 12 months in prison.
"When technology is misused, it undermines public trust," stated Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich. She noted that Cordes is the first law enforcement official her office has charged with misusing this technology since she took office. Cordes has been placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of an internal investigation.
Wider Implications for Surveillance Tech
The case is part of a growing trend of reported misuse involving Flock cameras. In September, five officers in Indianapolis were charged with similar offenses, including one officer who allegedly tracked his ex-wife's vehicle more than 950 times. These incidents have intensified scrutiny on Flock, an $8 billion startup backed by major venture capital firms like a16z and Tiger Global.
The backlash has led several municipalities to reconsider their reliance on the technology. In August, the Arizona cities of Tempe and Cave Creek ended their contracts, citing privacy concerns. Locally, several jurisdictions in Greater Cincinnati have also halted or canceled their agreements with Flock due to fears regarding potential misuse.
