Colleton County, S.C. – In a decisive move to protect public trust, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) terminated Lieutenant Kevin Smalls on August 31, 2026 after an internal audit showed he performed 62 unauthorized searches with the department’s Flock camera system over six months. The audit, initiated earlier this month, found Smalls used the system to investigate vehicles registered to his spouse and other personal acquaintances.
Earlier termination and pattern of abuse
Just eleven days earlier, Sheriff Buddy Hill announced the dismissal of Lieutenant Ruben Carter for conducting unauthorized Flock searches on 14 individuals over a year, totaling more than 2,700 improper queries. Carter’s misuse included inquiries about himself, fellow deputies, friends and former associates.
Both terminations stem from a broader effort by Sheriff Hill to tighten oversight of the Flock system. On August 11, 2026, Hill directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to assume audit duties previously handled by the criminal investigations division, which he said provided only limited, 30‑day snapshot data.
New policies to safeguard accountability
In response to the findings, the sheriff’s office revised its Flock camera policies. Under the new rules, deputies may access the system only during active investigations, and every access instance triggers a mandatory audit. The Office of Professional Responsibility will now conduct weekly audits of the system during normal operations, ensuring continuous monitoring.
“The public trusts law enforcement to use these systems properly, and that trust must never be abused,” Sheriff Hill said in a statement. He also confirmed that he has contacted the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to request a criminal investigation into possible illegal conduct.
Community reaction and broader implications
The revelations have sparked concern across the Palmetto State, adding to recent reports of Flock camera misuse in other South Carolina jurisdictions. Last week, an Upstate municipality announced it would suspend its own Flock program, while a neighboring county is moving to eliminate the technology entirely.
Local leaders and residents are calling for stronger safeguards to prevent future abuse and for transparent reporting of audit results. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the ongoing investigation remains active, and further details will be released as appropriate.
What’s next?
As the SLED investigation proceeds, the CCSO’s new oversight framework aims to restore confidence in law‑enforcement technology. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the tightened controls can serve as a model for other counties grappling with similar privacy and accountability challenges.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
