A former 911 director in Georgia has been arrested after investigators accused her of accessing a police license plate reader system for reasons unrelated to law enforcement. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the misuse occurred while she was working for the Dallas Police Department.
According to the GBI, 52-year-old Heidi Taylor of Dallas, Georgia, was arrested on August 12 and charged with two misdemeanor counts of Misuse of a License Plate Reader System. Taylor previously served as the Dallas Police Department’s 911 director.
The investigation began after the Dallas Police Department contacted the GBI on July 7 and requested an independent investigation into allegations involving its Flock Safety license plate reader system. Investigators say Taylor accessed the system for non-law enforcement purposes between 2024 and 2025.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed what Taylor searched for, how frequently she accessed the system, or what investigators believe motivated the searches. However, the GBI confirmed that Taylor was serving as the department’s 911 director during the period under investigation.
Former 911 Director Accused of Using Flock System for Non-Police Purposes
Flock Safety systems use automated license plate reader technology to capture vehicle information that law enforcement agencies can search during investigations. The technology has become increasingly common among police departments and sheriff’s offices, while also generating debate over privacy and how access to collected vehicle data should be controlled.
In Taylor’s case, investigators haven’t accused her of simply accessing the system as part of her normal duties. The GBI specifically says that the Flock Safety system was accessed for “non-law enforcement purposes,” resulting in the two misdemeanor charges.
Taylor was taken into custody on August 12 and booked into the Paulding County Jail. The GBI did not provide additional details about the circumstances of her arrest or specify whether the two charges correspond to particular searches or incidents.
The case remains under active investigation, meaning additional information could emerge as investigators continue reviewing the activity. Authorities are also asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact the GBI.
Investigation Remains Active Following Arrest
The allegations are particularly notable given Taylor’s former role overseeing 911 operations for the Dallas Police Department. Access to law enforcement databases and investigative technology can provide officials with information unavailable to the general public, making policies governing how those systems are used especially important.
Automated license plate readers can assist investigators in locating vehicles connected with crimes, identifying stolen vehicles, or developing leads in ongoing cases. However, Taylor’s arrest demonstrates the potential consequences when authorities believe access to such technology has occurred outside an authorized law enforcement purpose.
Once the GBI completes its investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Paulding Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The agency has not indicated when its investigation is expected to conclude.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against Taylor are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.