Former Illinois Cop Charged in Flock Camera Misuse Case

As flock camera expansion continues in Illinois, authorities say they're necessary to help law enforcement keep the public safe. What happens if they're used for private purposes? A former Illinois police officer has been charged with flock camera misuse after a state police investigation.

The Public Information Office of the Illinois State Police has just shared details of felony charges that have been made against a former Joliet, Illinois police officer. The press release from the Illinois State Police just issued this week says 50-year-old Jeremy Harrison of Plainfield, Illinois has been charged with misuse of the Joliet flock camera system.

A city inspector in Joliet reportedly requested the Illinois State Police conduct the investigation in October of 2025 alleging that Harrison had been using the information from the Joliet flock cameras for his own personal benefit. He has been charged with charged with Computer Tampering (Class 3 Felony) and Official Misconduct (Class 3 Felony).

The Illinois State Police emphasize that the charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Why do some in law enforcement believe flock cameras are necessary?

Flock Safety claims that these surveillance cameras "assisted in solving 20% of cleared cases, helped locate more than 10,000 missing persons, and contributed significantly to stolen vehicle recoveries". However, organizations like the ACLU consider flock cameras "a major civil liberties threat".