Five ex-Albany officers charged after license plate database investigation

Five former officers with the Albany Police Department are facing criminal charges after investigators say they improperly accessed the department’s automated license plate reader system for personal, non-law enforcement purposes.

The department said an internal audit of its Flock Safety camera system uncovered what it described as serious violations of department policy. Officials said the technology is intended to support criminal investigations, recover stolen vehicles and assist during public safety incidents, adding that any unauthorized use falls short of the department’s standards for professionalism and accountability.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the audit found the officers accessed license plate reader data on multiple occasions for reasons unrelated to law enforcement. Investigators have not released details about how the information was allegedly used.

Following the findings, the Albany Police Department terminated the officers and requested the GBI open a criminal investigation. On Monday, the agency arrested the five former officers, charging each with misuse of license plate data and violation of oath of office.

The former officers were identified as 27-year-old Tytianna Davis, 32-year-old Jade Jackson, 30-year-old Nicholas Richardson, 23-year-old Brittney Smith and 24-year-old Issac Whitus.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at (229) 777-2080 or submit a tip through the agency’s tip line at 1-800-597-8477.

The arrests come weeks after two supervisors with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were fired and charged in a separate case involving the alleged misuse of an automated license plate reader system.