Story perspectives

Judge Orders Firearms Surrender After Flock Stalking Claims

8/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

A judge issued an abuse prevention order and ordered firearms surrender for New Bedford officer Emily Pacheco after an ex-girlfriend claimed she used the Flock license-plate readers to stalk her.
Chief Jason Thody suspended the Flock system, placed one officer on leave, and invoked policy that bans personal use and threatens termination.
Affidavit shows Pacheco performed 18 searches in April and 259 in May 2026, accessing networks beyond New Bedford.

History

Historical Context

The 1967 Supreme Court ruling in Katz v. United States, authored by Justice Potter Stewart, rejected the earlier Olmstead view and created the “reasonable expectation of privacy” test. That standard still guides local law enforcement; in May 2026 Bedford officer Emily Pacheco logged 259 searches, prompting Chief Jason Thody to suspend the system and place an officer on leave.

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Story summary

A judge issued an abuse prevention order and ordered firearms surrender for New Bedford officer Emily Pacheco after an ex-girlfriend claimed she used the Flock license-plate readers to stalk her.
Chief Jason Thody suspended the Flock system, placed one officer on leave, and invoked policy that bans personal use and threatens termination.
Affidavit shows Pacheco performed 18 searches in April and 259 in May 2026, accessing networks beyond New Bedford.

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