(KRON) — A San Jose Police Department officer was fired after helping a family member find a domestic violence victim, officials revealed Monday. The officer was off-duty when he searched the police department’s Automated License Plate Reader cameras to find the victim.
SJPD told KRON4, “An off-duty officer used a personal device to perform unauthorized ALPR searches related to a domestic violence matter involving family members. The officer located the victim’s vehicle and shared the location with the suspect.”
Police Chief Paul Joseph said, “When an officer violates the public’s trust this severely, my responsibility is clear: that person cannot remain in a position of police authority, and they cannot wear the San Jose badge. This technology is new; the standard is not.”
San Jose has nearly 500 ALPR cameras throughout the city. Police officers are alerted when a vehicle of interest has been detected by the cameras.
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The officer who tracked the domestic violence victim’s whereabouts was terminated from SJPD following a criminal investigation, and the case was submitted to California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for possible decertification. Officials did not release the officer’s name Monday.
A police department spokesperson said SJPD changed its policy this week to restrict ALPR data and all other sensitive systems from being accessed on officers’ personal devices.
In addition, “All officers were admonished that improper access of ALPR and other law enforcement systems is grounds for termination,” the spokesperson wrote.
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