MILWAUKEE, WI - A police department in Wisconsin is reportedly updating its policies on its Flock camera system after one of its officers was indicted earlier in 2026 for allegedly using the system to run license plate checks on his romantic partner and her ex-boyfriend.
Earlier in March, 33-year-old Milwaukee Police Officer Josue Ayala was indicted on a single count of misconduct in public office following a criminal complaint alleging dozens of inappropriate uses of the police department’s Flock camera system. According to the criminal complaint, investigators claimed Officer Ayala searched for the license plate of one victim 55 times and another 124 times between March 26, 2025, and May 26, 2025.
Investigators later learned that Officer Ayala was in a romantic relationship with one of the victims during the period of the alleged Flock camera system searches. In contrast, the second victim was the ex-boyfriend of Officer Ayala’s romantic interest.
“The investigation revealed that City of Milwaukee Police Officer Josue Ayala used the Flock system while dating VICTIM TWO to check on the locations of VICTIM ONE and VICTIM TWO, all for personal reasons and in violation of the Standard Operating Procedures of the City of Milwaukee Police Department,” the criminal complaint noted.
Officer Ayala reportedly resigned from the police department ahead of his first court appearance on March 4, after pleading not guilty to the misconduct charge and being released on a $2,500 signature bond.
While the former officer’s case plays out in court, the Milwaukee Police Department announced plans to reduce the number of authorized users of the Flock camera system.
“We understand that we have to put in more robust checks and balances,” Chief Jeffrey Norman stated during a public safety and health committee meeting on March 12. James Lewis, the police department’s risk manager, noted that not every officer within the department had access to the Flock camera system, but added, “We have instructed our captains across the department that they must review and sign off on a request for one of their officers to use the system.”
Chief Norman announced that “swift accountability” will be pursued in cases similar to the current camera system scandal.
Earlier in March, 33-year-old Milwaukee Police Officer Josue Ayala was indicted on a single count of misconduct in public office following a criminal complaint alleging dozens of inappropriate uses of the police department’s Flock camera system. According to the criminal complaint, investigators claimed Officer Ayala searched for the license plate of one victim 55 times and another 124 times between March 26, 2025, and May 26, 2025.
Investigators later learned that Officer Ayala was in a romantic relationship with one of the victims during the period of the alleged Flock camera system searches. In contrast, the second victim was the ex-boyfriend of Officer Ayala’s romantic interest.
“The investigation revealed that City of Milwaukee Police Officer Josue Ayala used the Flock system while dating VICTIM TWO to check on the locations of VICTIM ONE and VICTIM TWO, all for personal reasons and in violation of the Standard Operating Procedures of the City of Milwaukee Police Department,” the criminal complaint noted.
Officer Ayala reportedly resigned from the police department ahead of his first court appearance on March 4, after pleading not guilty to the misconduct charge and being released on a $2,500 signature bond.
While the former officer’s case plays out in court, the Milwaukee Police Department announced plans to reduce the number of authorized users of the Flock camera system.
“We understand that we have to put in more robust checks and balances,” Chief Jeffrey Norman stated during a public safety and health committee meeting on March 12. James Lewis, the police department’s risk manager, noted that not every officer within the department had access to the Flock camera system, but added, “We have instructed our captains across the department that they must review and sign off on a request for one of their officers to use the system.”
Chief Norman announced that “swift accountability” will be pursued in cases similar to the current camera system scandal.
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