Anderson County, S.C. – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) confirmed that Deputy Eric Center resigned effective immediately following an internal affairs investigation that uncovered unauthorized use of the department’s Flock Safety surveillance system.
Investigation Findings
In an official statement, ACSO said Center had accessed the system “for a purpose outside of the authorized reasons for accessing the system.” The department opened an internal affairs investigation as soon as the misuse was discovered. Sgt. Kendall Cash, speaking to FITSNews via email, said, “During the course of the internal affairs investigation, Deputy Center resigned from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, effective immediately.”
Legal Counsel’s Assessment
The sheriff’s office consulted with 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black, who concluded that Center’s conduct “constituted a violation of agency policy and did not warrant a criminal investigation.” Black, who previously faced criticism for declining to pursue state charges against former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, reiterated that the matter would be handled as an internal administrative issue with no criminal charges forthcoming.
Deputy’s Background
According to ACSO’s Facebook page, Center was sworn in as a deputy in September 2023. He later appeared on Season 37 of the television series “Cops” and was selected by fellow deputies as “Deputy of the Year” in 2024. Prior to joining Anderson County, Center listed service with the Laurens Police Department and the Greenville Police Department on his LinkedIn profile.
Broader Concerns Over Surveillance System Use
Center’s resignation adds to a growing list of South Carolina officers alleged to have misused the Flock Safety cameras. Two Greer Police Department officers were terminated earlier this year after using the system to track personal acquaintances, and an officer in Mauldin was reported to have conducted 166 unauthorized searches. Lieutenant‑level officers in the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office have been accused of more than 2,760 unauthorized searches combined.
While some departments highlight legitimate uses of the technology—Spartanburg County Sheriff Bill Rhyne recently credited the cameras with locating a 12‑year‑old girl who had been abducted—other jurisdictions are pulling back. The city of Greer temporarily suspended its Flock cameras, and Oconee County Council has advanced an ordinance to ban the system countywide.
Public Response
Law‑enforcement officers in the Upstate region have expressed ongoing resentment toward Solicitor Black’s earlier decision not to charge former Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright, who was later sentenced to 41 months in federal prison. The current controversy underscores the tension between law‑enforcement agencies seeking advanced surveillance tools and community expectations for responsible, policy‑compliant use.
Next Steps
ACSO did not disclose the number of unauthorized searches Center is alleged to have performed. The department emphasized that the matter will remain an internal administrative case and that no criminal charges will be filed.
Members of the public who suspect misuse of the Flock Safety system are encouraged to contact reporter Andrew Fancher at [email protected].
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
