Mass. officer accused of misusing Flock system has resigned

A Stow police officer accused of misusing Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers and other police databases to track someone he knew has resigned, the department announced Wednesday. 

Jason Rogers resigned before an employment status hearing scheduled for Wednesday, which has since been canceled, Police Chief Michael Sallese and Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski said in a statement. 

Rogers was placed on administrative leave June 18, about three hours after the Stow Police Department received a complaint alleging he had misused law enforcement databases, officials said previously. 

A four-week internal affairs investigation found that Rogers attempted multiple times in 2024 and 2025 to obtain personal information about a Worcester County resident who is known to him, according to police. The resident has not been publicly identified. 

The investigation “sustained findings of conduct unbecoming of an officer, improper use of an official position, failure to comply with written orders, use of false and unsubstantiated search reasons, and violations of department policies surrounding law enforcement databases,” officials said. 

Rogers allegedly ran vehicle information through Flock Safety multiple times with no legitimate law enforcement reason, police said. 

The officer also allegedly searched the state’s database of criminal records at least five times for reasons unrelated to law enforcement, which is illegal under state law, according to police. 

The Stow Police Department has filed a court complaint against Rogers seeking charges related to the alleged unauthorized queries on the criminal records database. 

The department forwarded its internal affairs report to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission for potential “action regarding Rogers’ certification to work as a police officer” in the state, police said. 

The Stow Police Department ended its relationship with Flock Safety on Aug. 18, saying the decision was made “as a direct result of (Rogers’) conduct.” 

Stow is among a growing number of Massachusetts communities reconsidering their use of Flock’s technology amid increased scrutiny of automated license plate readers (ALPR), particularly over privacy concerns and alleged misuse by law enforcement. 

Flock Safety sells ALPR cameras that collect vehicle information and then feeds that data into a searchable nationwide network used by law enforcement.

Stow removed its final Flock camera in early August. The department had removed two other ALPR cameras earlier this year “after evaluating their effectiveness,” police said. 

“Chief Sallese recognizes that plate reader technology has assisted the Department in crime-solving and missing persons cases, but must be used in balance with strong policies and oversight,” the department said.