San Diego police used the city’s Flock automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) system to investigate Officer Miguel Gonzalez and a domestic‑violence victim he was alleged to have had a sexual relationship with, raising concerns about compliance with the city’s surveillance use policy.
According to Voice of San Diego, Internal Affairs detectives first turned to the ALPR data in August 2025 after learning that Gonzalez had allegedly engaged in a sexual encounter with the victim on March 6, 2025 and had delayed responding to a separate call for 51 minutes. Sergeant C. Evans, then supervisor of the Real‑Time Operations Center, retrieved license‑plate records for both vehicles, but the search yielded no evidence that the cars had been in the same location, likely because the system retains footage for only 30 days.
The incident is not isolated. SDPD spokesperson Ashley Nicholes told Voice of San Diego that the department has used the Flock network in internal investigations six times, with three searches returning no relevant data, two corroborating officers’ accounts, and one substantiating misconduct that led to discipline. Nicholes said the department’s use policy permits “legitimate purposes,” which she argues includes investigations of officer misconduct.
Privacy advocates argue otherwise. Ted Womack Jr., vice chair of San Diego’s Privacy Advisory Board, called the surveillance of the domestic‑violence victim a clear violation of the use policy, noting the woman was not a suspect or subject of any criminal investigation. Councilmember Raul Campillo, previously a supporter of the Flock program, wrote that learning the police used ALPRs to monitor an officer and a private citizen “calls the entire program into question.” He is now demanding an immediate suspension of the program and a comprehensive audit of its use within the department.
The city’s ALPR network consists of roughly 500 Flock‑enabled cameras that capture license plates citywide, a tool the department says helps locate stolen vehicles, respond to public threats, and assist in missing‑person cases. Critics say the policy documents are vague and do not explicitly authorize internal investigations, leaving room for potential abuse.
Union leaders have offered mixed reactions. Jared Wilson, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association, said the union had not expected the technology to be used for internal investigations but noted the department’s 2023 agreement to the system’s usage. The union is reviewing the situation and has not taken a definitive stance.
What’s next: Councilmember Campillo’s suspension request will be considered at the next City Council meeting, and the proposed audit could shape future oversight of the Flock program. Residents and privacy advocates are urging the council to act quickly to ensure the technology is used only for the purposes outlined in the city’s policy.
Sources: voiceofsandiego.org, voiceofsandiego.org
