Goodyear PD probes misuse of Flock license plate reader technology

The Goodyear Police Department has begun an investigation into the possible abuse of an officer using automated license plate technology.

“As part of the Goodyear Police Department’s normal Internal Affairs audit process, investigators began an audit of Flock system activity on July 21, 2026. On July 22, investigators identified activity involving an officer that raised concerns about a potential violation of department policy,” the department stated Tuesday in a release.

 “The officer was immediately placed on administrative leave, and access to department computer systems was restricted.”

Flock introduced enhanced automated auditing capabilities that provide law enforcement agencies with greater visibility into individual user activity and make it easier to identify “unusual activity or potential anomalies,” the release stated.

“These enhanced capabilities provide an additional layer of oversight to the auditing process already established by the Goodyear Police Department.”

Several other Valley police departments recently have had issues with the Flock system.

 Investigators identified information that raised the possibility of a criminal violation, Goodyear authorities said, and the Glendale Police Department has been brought in to handle the investigation going forward.

“The public trusts us with powerful law enforcement tools, and that trust requires both strong policies and meaningful oversight,” Goodyear Police Chief Brian Issitt said.

“Our auditing process did exactly what it is intended to do. It identified activity that warranted further review, and we acted immediately. When information indicated there could be a criminal component, we requested an independent investigation. Accountability applies to every member of this department.”

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