The Savannah Police Department is facing renewed scrutiny after an internal investigation found staff members used the department’s Flock license-plate camera system to run searches on personal acquaintances and family members and gave unauthorized access to someone outside law enforcement. The probe, which began July 27, led to the dismissal of six SPD employees and administrative leave for four officers and two civilian staffers.
Internal findings and ongoing probe
Investigators determined that several employees conducted searches unrelated to criminal investigations, and at least one employee provided an external party access to SPD’s Flock platform. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is continuing its separate inquiry into the matter.
City and police officials have not released the identities of the staffers involved. Details from the internal review also have not been fully disclosed publicly as the GBI investigation continues.
Calls for new rules and audits
Local elected officials and civil liberties advocates say the episode highlights weaknesses in how the system is controlled and monitored. Savannah District 6 Alderman Kurtis Purtee, who is also a police officer and a member of the Georgia Municipal Association, said the system allows officers to run license-plate checks or compile “hot lists” without establishing a case file.
“It’s pretty easy,” Purtee said, adding that the city needs “frequent audits” and “stringent policy and procedure” from both the city and the police department.
Purtee urged investment not only in surveillance tools but also in the safeguards that protect residents and the technology itself.
ACLU pushes oversight ordinance
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia has responded by promoting a model ordinance known as CCOPS — Community Control of Police Surveillance — which aims to establish local governance, transparency and privacy protections for surveillance technologies.
“This is not going away. If anything, surveillance technology is going to get wider, bigger, and in different ways,”
said Christopher Bruce, deputy executive director of the ACLU of Georgia. Bruce noted that CCOPS has been enacted in 26 municipalities, and he argued those cities retained law-enforcement capabilities while adding what he described as guardrails for privacy and public safety.
Finding a path forward in Georgia
While the ACLU recommends adopting CCOPS-style oversight, some local officials caution a statewide approach may be complicated. Purtee said the Georgia Municipal Association could work on a model that balances policing needs and privacy safeguards.
“I think it’s worth continually investing into the technology but it’s also worth it to invest in the safeguards that help protect not only the people but that technology as well,” Purtee said.
- What happened: Internal investigation found improper searches and unauthorized access to Flock system.
- Immediate outcomes: Six SPD employees fired; four officers and two civilian employees placed on administrative leave.
- Next steps: Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues probe; local leaders and ACLU urge policy and audit reforms.
Local implications
For Savannah residents, the episode raises questions about how surveillance tools are used and overseen within the community. The Flock system — designed to help track vehicles and support criminal investigations — can also collect sensitive movement data when left without adequate controls. City leaders must weigh the investigative benefits of the technology against concerns about misuse and privacy.
As the GBI inquiry proceeds, City Hall and the police department face pressure to provide clearer policies, stronger technical controls and public transparency about who can access surveillance systems and under what circumstances. The coming weeks are likely to include discussions among aldermen, the police department and civil-rights groups about what reforms would be appropriate for Savannah.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Investigation opened | July 27 |
| Employees dismissed | 6 |
| Staff placed on leave | 4 officers, 2 civilian employees |
| External probe | Georgia Bureau of Investigation (ongoing) |
| ACLU proposal | CCOPS ordinance (in 26 municipalities) |
Residents seeking more information should watch for public briefings from the Savannah Police Department and City Council, and for any proposed ordinances or policy updates that may arise from this incident.
