A Florida police officer has been arrested after allegedly using his department's Flock licence-plate surveillance system 717 times to track a vehicle belonging to his estranged wife over nearly two years. Christopher Goodson, a 31-year-old officer with the Haines City Police Department, allegedly searched the vehicle's licence plate between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026, both while on and off duty, according to an arrest affidavit. Investigators said he used department-issued devices and entered various law-enforcement justifications for the searches, even though his estranged wife was not involved in a criminal investigation. Goodson was charged with official misconduct and an offence involving computer systems and was placed on paid administrative leave. He has also indicated that he plans to resign. The case has also drawn attention to the privacy risks posed by law-enforcement surveillance tools when access is used for personal purposes rather than legitimate investigations. This case underscores growing concerns about accountability and oversight mechanisms needed to prevent officers from exploiting powerful surveillance databases for personal, non-investigative purposes.
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