Special Prosecutor Appointed for Misuse of License Plate Reader System

Prosecutor’s Decision and Community Feedback

Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann admitted a mistake and decided to appoint a special prosecutor to review the case of a sheriff’s deputy who misused the Flock camera system.

Earlier, Germann announced that the deputy who used the License Plate Reader System three times would not face charges. He later concluded that an outside investigation would be more appropriate.

Germann stated, “While we can all agree that law enforcement’s actions in this case were improper, I now believe the issue of whether those improper actions rise to the level of criminal conduct should be evaluated by another prosecutor.”

Increased Scrutiny on Flock System Usage

The Flock License Plate Reader system is under enhanced scrutiny due to privacy concerns. Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson reported that an officer was suspended and resigned after misusing the system, prompting another investigation. Portage Mayor Austin Bonta mentioned in a Facebook post that the city’s contract with Flock will expire at the end of the year and confirmed plans for a presentation on September 14 regarding the system’s usage and related policies.

Law enforcement officials, including Germann, Richardson, and Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon, expressed that the cameras could be valuable when used correctly but should not be utilized for private purposes. Balon emphasized, “As with any law enforcement tool, if they are used inappropriately, we will hold our Officers accountable for their misuse.”

Appointment of Special Prosecutor

Germann decided to request a special investigation, stating, “I want to reassure the public that my decision not to prosecute is not related to any relationship my office has with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department.” Jacob Taulman from Jasper County has been appointed as the special prosecutor.

Germann acknowledged community displeasure over his initial decision not to charge the deputy, who had disciplinary actions for misusing the Flock system. Germann admitted, “I readily admit that it was indeed a mistake for me not to have a special prosecutor appointed from the outset.”

Details of Misuse Case

Balon revealed the misuse of the system by an officer on August 28. The officer, who used the database to search for a specific license plate, faced demotion, suspension without pay, an indefinite suspension from the Flock system, and ethics training.

Germann previously stated a “full and fair” internal investigation showed the officer logged in three times over several months. Germann added the violation was minor but acknowledged it was a mistake, noting no crime had been committed.

Germann contrasted the Porter County case to another involving Skylar Thompson in Jackson County, who reportedly used the Flock database over 2,000 times, falsely attributing searches to “City Planning/Traffic Analysis.”

The Porter County case arose from a citizen’s complaint after discovering their license plate had been run by the department through the Flock system for reasons inconsistent with department policy, according to Balon’s August 28 release.

Internal Investigation and Policy Update

An internal affairs investigation revealed the officer violated policy with an improper license plate entry, which led to further strengthening of department policy and additional safeguards for Flock system use.

A case number and reason for the search are now mandatory for all Flock searches conducted by department members. The department uses Flock’s Audit system, powered by Artificial Intelligence, to flag suspicious searches for review.

Balon stated these safeguards offer enhanced oversight and accountability for the Flock system.