Franklin County Sheriff Suspends Deputy for Misusing Flock License Plate Readers
Deputy Robert Tischler was stripped of camera access and transferred to corrections as Sheriff Dallas Baldwin institutes division-level surveillance audits.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has suspended Deputy Robert Tischler for 30 days without pay after an internal audit found he used the camera system in a manner not permitted by his assigned duties. Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the action on Friday, Oct. 30, confirming that Tischler will also be reassigned from patrol duties to the Corrections Division and barred from accessing the Flock camera network.
A Flock Safety automated license plate reader camera unit powered by a solar panel.
Credit: Bruxton / Wikimedia Commons Image source https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
Baldwin initiated the audit proactively as a precaution after learning of reported instances of the technology being misused by other law enforcement agencies.
"We have a responsibility to ensure that the technology entrusted to this Office is used appropriately, responsibly and solely for legitimate law enforcement purposes. That is why we initiated this review proactively," Baldwin said in a statement. Baldwin added that while automated license plate readers serve as important investigative tools, maintaining public trust requires every deputy to use agency resources responsibly and only for authorized investigations.
New Division Oversight and Undisclosed Searches
To prevent future violations, the sheriff's office established new departmental rules requiring a major in each division to monitor who can access automated license plate reader data and when. The command-level monitoring will be paired with regular departmental audits across divisions.
While the sheriff's office described the investigation as concluded, the department did not specify which searches led to the disciplinary action, whether any personal information was improperly accessed, or whether criminal charges were evaluated.
Regional Surveillance Fallout
The disciplinary action in Franklin County arrives amid an expanding regional reckoning over municipal surveillance technology and civil liberties safeguards.
In Columbus, Mayor Andrew Ginther announced a pause on police use of Flock cameras in early September 2026 after internal scrutiny revealed an officer had searched the same license plate more than 270 times over 14 months for reasons unrelated to police business. On Sept. 9, 2026, Reynoldsburg leaders halted the surveillance network and announced the city would discontinue the Flock camera system immediately and cancel its contract.
In Reynoldsburg, administrative audits revealed that Officer Mark Nichols conducted 46 unauthorized searches targeting a vehicle registered to a former domestic partner. Reynoldsburg officials subsequently referred potential officer policy violations to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for an independent criminal probe.
Surrounding suburbs moved quickly to establish tighter safeguards on automated vehicular surveillance. On Sept. 21, 2026, Worthington City Council voted 6-1 to immediately suspend sharing data gathered by its 14 Flock Safety license plate readers with external law enforcement agencies. On Sept. 21, Grove City officials introduced legislation to create municipal criminal penalties for unauthorized searches, credential sharing, and data leaks involving automated license plate reader technology.
Previously, Pique reported on Sept. 30 on Grove City considering criminal penalties for surveillance misuse and Worthington halting outside data sharing, and on Oct. 2 on Reynoldsburg removing its camera network after internal misuse inquiries.
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Supporting evidence (5)
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has suspended Deputy Robert Tischler for 30 days without pay after an internal audit found he used the camera system in a manner not permitted by his assigned duties.
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The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has completed an audit of the Flock camera system, following concerns that arose after other agencies reportedly misused the system. Sheriff Dallas Baldwin began the audit as a precaution, which uncovered that Deputy Robert Tischler used the camera system in a way not permitted by his assigned duties. As a result, Tischler received a 30-day suspension without pay.
Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the action on Friday, Oct. 30, confirming that Tischler will also be reassigned from patrol duties to the Corrections Division and barred from accessing the Flock camera network.
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Fri, October 30, 2026 at 5:23 PM
That is why we initiated this review proactively," Baldwin said in a statement.
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“We have a responsibility to ensure that the technology entrusted to this Office is used appropriately, responsibly and solely for legitimate law enforcement purposes. That is why we initiated this review proactively,” said Sheriff Baldwin.
Baldwin added that while automated license plate readers serve as important investigative tools, maintaining public trust requires every deputy to use agency resources responsibly and only for authorized investigations.
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“I hold every member of this Office to high standards of professionalism and integrity. Maintaining the public’s trust and keeping our community safe is my top priority. Law enforcement technology, such as the Flock camera system, is an important investigative tool and must be used only for investigative purposes. I expect all deputies to use their authority and office resources responsibly,” he said.
To prevent future violations, the sheriff's office established new departmental rules requiring a major in each division to monitor who can access automated license plate reader data and when.
Read supporting passage
The sheriff’s office has introduced new oversight requirements that assign a major in each Division to monitor who can access automatic license plate reader data and when, along with regular audits to prevent future issues.
Supporting evidence (5)
Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the action on Friday, Oct. 30, confirming that Tischler will also be reassigned from patrol duties to the Corrections Division and barred from accessing the Flock camera network.
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Following the investigation, the Sheriff's Office announced that Tischler would receive a 30 day unpaid suspension. He will also be reassigned from patrol duties to the department's Corrections Division. Additionally, Tischler will no longer have access to the Flock camera system.
Baldwin initiated the audit proactively as a precaution after learning of reported instances of the technology being misused by other law enforcement agencies.
Read supporting passage
According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Dallas Baldwin initiated an audit after learning about reported instances of the technology being misused by other law enforcement agencies.
The command-level monitoring will be paired with regular departmental audits across divisions.
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Each division must designate a major to oversee access to automated license plate recognition data systems. The oversight responsibilities include monitoring who is authorized to access the systems and when they may use them. Regular audits will also be conducted.
While the sheriff's office described the investigation as concluded, the department did not specify which searches led to the disciplinary action, whether any personal information was improperly accessed, or whether criminal charges were evaluated.
Read supporting passage
The Sheriff's Office described the investigation as concluded, with disciplinary action and additional oversight measures now announced.
While the sheriff's office described the investigation as concluded, the department did not specify which searches led to the disciplinary action, whether any personal information was improperly accessed, or whether criminal charges were evaluated.
Read supporting passage
The department did not specify which searches or activities led to the disciplinary action, whether any personal information was improperly accessed, or whether criminal charges are being considered.
Grove City Weighs Criminal Penalties for Automated License Plate Reader Misuse
Supporting evidence (3)
In Columbus, Mayor Andrew Ginther announced a pause on police use of Flock cameras in early September 2026 after internal scrutiny revealed an officer had searched the same license plate more than 270 times over 14 months for reasons unrelated to police business.
On Sept. 21, Grove City officials introduced legislation to create municipal criminal penalties for unauthorized searches, credential sharing, and data leaks involving automated license plate reader technology.
Read supporting passage
Grove City Council is scheduled to hold a second reading and public hearing on Oct. 5, 2026, on Ordinance C-51-26, a measure that would create municipal criminal penalties for unauthorized use, illicit searches, credential sharing, and data leaks involving automated license plate reader technology. Originated by Mayor Richard L. Stage and introduced by Council Member Burroughs on Sept. 21, the ordinance enacts Section 525.16 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Grove City.
Previously, Pique reported on Sept. 30 on Grove City considering criminal penalties for surveillance misuse and Worthington halting outside data sharing, and on Oct. 2 on Reynoldsburg removing its camera network after internal misuse inquiries.
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Grove City Weighs Criminal Penalties for Automated License Plate Reader Misuse
Reynoldsburg Faces Surveillance Reckoning After Officer Misuse Prompted Flock Camera Removal
Supporting evidence (4)
On Sept. 9, 2026, Reynoldsburg leaders halted the surveillance network and announced the city would discontinue the Flock camera system immediately and cancel its contract.
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Reynoldsburg leaders halted the surveillance network at noon on Sept. 9, 2026, when Begeny announced in a public livestream that the city would discontinue the Flock camera system immediately and cancel its contract.
In Reynoldsburg, administrative audits revealed that Officer Mark Nichols conducted 46 unauthorized searches targeting a vehicle registered to a former domestic partner.
Read supporting passage
Internal affairs investigations confirmed that two Reynoldsburg police officers resigned after internal audits detected dozens of personal searches conducted without legitimate law enforcement purposes. Lt. Kevin McDonnell identified repeated queries on specific plates during administrative audits. Officer Mark Nichols, who had served more than three years with the agency, conducted 47 unauthorized searches between September 2025 and June 2026, including 46 searches targeting a vehicle registered to a former domestic partner.
Reynoldsburg officials subsequently referred potential officer policy violations to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for an independent criminal probe.
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During a Reynoldsburg City Council meeting on July 13, 2026, Begeny announced that the city had referred potential officer policy violations regarding Flock queries to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for an independent criminal probe.
Previously, Pique reported on Sept. 30 on Grove City considering criminal penalties for surveillance misuse and Worthington halting outside data sharing, and on Oct. 2 on Reynoldsburg removing its camera network after internal misuse inquiries.
Read supporting passage
Reynoldsburg Faces Surveillance Reckoning After Officer Misuse Prompted Flock Camera Removal
Worthington Halts Flock License Plate Data Sharing With Outside Police Agencies
Supporting evidence (2)
On Sept. 21, 2026, Worthington City Council voted 6-1 to immediately suspend sharing data gathered by its 14 Flock Safety license plate readers with external law enforcement agencies.
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On September 21st, Worthington City Council voted 6-1 to immediately suspend sharing data gathered by its 14 Flock Safety license plate readers with external law enforcement agencies council vote.
Previously, Pique reported on Sept. 30 on Grove City considering criminal penalties for surveillance misuse and Worthington halting outside data sharing, and on Oct. 2 on Reynoldsburg removing its camera network after internal misuse inquiries.
Read supporting passage
Worthington Halts Flock License Plate Data Sharing With Outside Police Agencies