Franklin County Deputy Suspended Over Misuse of Flock Camera System

A Franklin County Sheriff's Office deputy has been suspended following reported misuse of the Flock camera system, a development that highlights ongoing concerns about technology use within law enforcement agencies.

The deputy, whose identity is not disclosed, received a thirty-day unpaid suspension, reportedly due to their unauthorized use of the Flock camera system. This suspension underscores the strictness with which such infractions are treated, even if they do not involve criminal behavior.

In addition to the suspension, the deputy was reassigned from their patrol duties to the Corrections Division, marking a significant change in their role within the Sheriff’s Office. Furthermore, their access to the Flock camera system was revoked, indicating that the misuse was serious enough to warrant removal of this technological tool from their responsibilities.

According to reports, Deputy Robert Tischler used the Flock camera system in a way that did not align with his assigned duties. This suggests that there may have been specific rules or guidelines governing how the system could be utilized, which were not adhered to in this instance.

The Flock camera system itself is owned by Franklin County, making it a valuable asset for local law enforcement operations. The incident prompted Sheriff Dallas Baldwin to initiate an audit as a precautionary measure, demonstrating a proactive approach to ensuring compliance and accuracy in the use of these resources.

As a result of this incident, new oversight requirements have been implemented, including increased monitoring of access to automatic license plate reader data. These measures aim to provide greater transparency and accountability, helping to prevent similar issues in the future. Regular audits will now be conducted to maintain high standards and ensure proper usage of the Flock camera system and related technologies.

What we know

• A Franklin County Sheriff's Office deputy was suspended ¹²³⁴⁵⁶
• The suspension was due to misuse of the Flock camera system ¹²³⁴⁵⁶
• The deputy received a 30-day unpaid suspension ⁴⁵⁶
• The deputy was reassigned from patrol duties to the Corrections Division ⁴⁵⁶
• The deputy's access to the Flock camera system was removed ⁴⁵⁶
• Deputy Robert Tischler used the Flock camera system in a manner not allowed by his assigned duties ⁵⁶
• The Flock camera system belongs to Franklin County ¹²³
• Sheriff Dallas Baldwin initiated the audit as a precaution ⁵⁶
• New oversight requirements were introduced, including monitoring access to automatic license plate reader data ⁵⁶
• Regular audits will be conducted to prevent future issues ⁵