A Georgia police officer turned himself in after allegedly using Flock license plate readers for non-law enforcement purposes. Investigators say the searches continued even after he moved to another police department.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Anthony Trapani, 32, a police officer with the Emerson Police Department. Trapani turned himself in on Sept. 14 and faces two counts of misusing a license plate reader system and violating his oath.
Trapani was an officer for the Acworth Police Department when the investigation started. The department asked the GBI to investigate possible misuse of its Flock Safety system. Investigators say Trapani used the system for purposes not related to law enforcement and continued to do so even after being transferred to the Emerson department in 2025.
Investigators then booked Trapani into the Cobb County Jail after his arrest.
The Searches Followed Him
Trapani worked for the Acworth Police Department from June 2, 2019, through July 11, 2025, before transferring to the Emerson Police Department, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Trapani’s alleged misuse of the system began while he worked for the Acworth department and continued even after he left.
The Acworth Police Department discovered searches in its Flock system that violated department policy, prompting them to contact the GBI. Acworth Police Chief Mark Cheatham notified Emerson Police Chief Kyle Teems before state investigators were involved, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
It was not stated who or what Trapani was searching for in the Flock system.
What Flock Cameras See
The Flock Safety system uses automated license plate readers to capture information about vehicle license plates and characteristics. Law enforcement uses that data to help investigations. The system does not collect driver information or facial recognition data.
That information is what makes the misuse significant. Flock is a system designed only to help investigators locate vehicles connected to crimes, leading to the identification of suspects. An alleged misuse of that system is taken seriously by law enforcement.
Emerson Police Chief Kyle Teems said the department operates two Flock cameras, installed in 2021. Since this investigation, the department has updated its policy to prevent further misuse.
Investigation Remains Open
The investigation into Trapani’s alleged misuse is still ongoing, according to the GBI. Additional details and charges can still emerge.
After the investigation is concluded, the case file will be turned over to the Bartow County and Cobb County District Attorney’s Offices for prosecution.
As always, Trapani is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.