STOW, MA — A Stow police officer is facing termination proceedings after town officials say he improperly used Flock Safety license plate readers and police databases to search for information about a person known to him.
The department also says it is seeking criminal charges against Officer Jason Rogers after an internal affairs probe found multiple unauthorized database checks and vehicle record searches with no legitimate law enforcement purpose.
Internal affairs probe found repeated unauthorized searches
Police said they learned of the allegations on June 18, when the person who was the subject of the searches filed a complaint. Rogers was placed on paid administrative leave that same day and lost access to department systems.
The investigation concluded that he illegally accessed Criminal Offender Record Information through the state’s Criminal Justice Information Services system at least five times. It also found that he ran vehicle information through both Flock Safety and CJIS on multiple dates for reasons investigators said were false or unsubstantiated.
Town action moved from leave to unpaid status and a hearing
The Stow Select Board initially scheduled an employment status hearing for July 30, but it was postponed. Rogers was then placed on unpaid leave the following day.
The hearing has now been rescheduled for Aug. 26. Town officials said the internal affairs findings supported allegations of conduct unbecoming an officer, improper use of an official position, failure to follow written orders and policy violations tied to law enforcement databases.
Criminal complaint and state certification review were also opened
After the internal review, Stow police launched a criminal investigation and filed a complaint seeking charges against Rogers. The case has been forwarded to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
The department also sent the investigation to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, which can take action on an officer’s certification. Separately, Stow police said they ended their relationship with Flock Safety and removed the last automated license plate reader they had been using in early August.
Police chief says public trust was broken by personal use of records
Police Chief Michael Sallese said officers are trusted with sensitive information only so they can carry out official duties and protect the public. He said using that access for a personal reason is both a serious breach of trust and a crime.
Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski said the department acted quickly after receiving the complaint and followed the evidence through a comprehensive internal review. Flock Safety later said it had strengthened safeguards and audit logs to help identify possible misuse.
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