Stow, Massachusetts – The Stow Police Department confirmed that Officer Jason Rogers resigned on Wednesday, days before a scheduled termination hearing. Rogers had been placed on unpaid administrative leave on June 18 following a citizen complaint that he was using the department’s Flock Safety automated license‑plate reader system and state criminal databases to track a personal acquaintance.
Investigation findings
Internal affairs determined that Rogers accessed Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) through the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) system on at least five separate occasions without a legitimate law‑enforcement purpose. He also ran vehicle‑lookup queries through both the Flock Safety platform and CJIS on multiple dates, actions that state law expressly prohibits for non‑policing activities.
State law bars any law‑enforcement officer from using CJIS data for personal reasons, and the department filed a court complaint seeking criminal charges against Rogers. The case has been forwarded to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Impact on department policy
In response to the misconduct, Stow police announced the termination of its relationship with Flock Safety. The town removed its last automated license‑plate reader in early August and is drafting a revised policy governing the use of such technology. The updated policy will be presented to the Stow Select Board for approval later this year.
Police Chief Michael Sallese said, “Law‑enforcement officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information solely so they can perform their official duties and protect the public. Using that access for a personal purpose is a serious violation of that trust, and it is a crime.” He added that the department acted within hours of receiving the complaint to remove the officer from duty and secure its systems.
Community response
Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski emphasized that the actions of one individual do not reflect the values of the Stow Police Department. “The Department’s leadership responded immediately after receiving a concerning complaint and took swift and decisive action,” she said. “We will continue working to ensure that the public has confidence in how sensitive law‑enforcement information is accessed and protected.”
The incident has sparked broader discussion among Massachusetts police agencies about the oversight of automated license‑plate readers. New Bedford police recently paused their own Flock Safety system after an officer used it to track a former girlfriend’s vehicle, and several other departments are reviewing their policies.
Flock Safety’s response
Flock Safety CEO and Founder Garrett Langley released a video statement noting that the company built accountability measures into its technology from the start. “We knew that abuse was a risk nine years ago, which is why we mandated every customer have an audit log,” Langley said. He added that the company has updated its system to better identify potential misuse, stating, “We are finding bad cops and holding them accountable.”
The Stow case underscores the importance of strict adherence to state privacy statutes and the need for transparent oversight of emerging surveillance tools. As the town moves forward with new safeguards, officials hope to restore public trust while preserving the legitimate safety benefits that license‑plate readers can provide.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
