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New Bedford ends employment of two officers as council moves to prohibit Flock cameras
Mayor Jon Mitchell terminated two New Bedford officers after an internal review found alleged personal use of the city’s license plate reader system. The City Council voted to ban the cameras, which have been offline since August, as an audit continues.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has fired two police officers accused of using the city’s Flock automatic license plate readers to track people for personal reasons, while the City Council has voted to prohibit the surveillance system.
Officer Emily Pacheco was accused of using the cameras to follow her former girlfriend. A department-wide audit launched after that case found that Sgt. James Martinelli allegedly used the system to track a woman he was dating and the woman’s former partner. Mitchell announced the terminations on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The cameras have been switched off since early August, when the department suspended their use following the investigation into Pacheco. The audit of officers’ use of the system is still underway.
The council voted to ban the city’s license plate reader system. Councilor-at-large Shane Burgo, who supports removing the cameras, said the vote reflected concerns about misuse and oversight. He said Mayor Mitchell was expected to veto the measure, but that it had passed with enough support to override a veto.
Burgo has argued that the technology may assist investigations but can be abused without safeguards. Resident Steven Hebert also raised privacy concerns, saying residents should have a say in whether the city uses the cameras.
The dispute leaves the future of the system uncertain as the city’s existing contract with Flock is set to expire Nov. 12. The cameras remain offline while the audit continues.