A Florida police officer is facing criminal charges after investigators say he repeatedly used a law-enforcement vehicle surveillance system to monitor the movements of his estranged wife.
Christopher Goodson, a 31-year-old officer with the Haines City Police Department, allegedly searched for his wife’s vehicle through Flock surveillance cameras more than 700 times between September 2024 and June 2026. Goodson reportedly told investigators that he was attempting to keep track of his children while they were in their mother’s care.
The investigation, however, allegedly found no indication that his estranged wife was involved in criminal activity during the period in question.
Officer Allegedly Used Police System to Monitor Wife’s Vehicle
According to investigators, Goodson used the Flock system to obtain information about his wife’s vehicle on hundreds of occasions. Flock cameras are automated license plate-reading systems used by law enforcement agencies to identify and locate vehicles.
Authorities allege that Goodson entered various justifications for his searches, including categories associated with criminal vehicle offenses and narcotics investigations, despite the investigation finding no evidence that his wife was engaged in criminal conduct.
The alleged searches took place over a period of nearly two years, raising concerns about whether police surveillance technology was being used for a legitimate law-enforcement purpose or for personal reasons.
Officer Faces Official Misconduct Charges
Goodson has been charged with one count of official misconduct and one count involving offenses against users of computer systems, according to the investigation.
The Haines City police officer has been placed on administrative leave and has indicated that he intends to resign from the department.
The case has also prompted scrutiny over how law-enforcement databases and automated license plate readers are accessed by officers. Police departments increasingly rely on technologies such as Flock cameras to assist investigations, but their growing use has also raised questions about privacy and potential misuse.
Police Department Promises Greater Oversight
The Haines City Police Department’s chief said the alleged conduct does not reflect the department’s standards and stressed that law-enforcement systems must only be used for legitimate purposes.
Officials have also announced additional oversight measures intended to ensure that surveillance tools such as Flock are accessed and used in accordance with department policies and the law.
The allegations have brought renewed attention to the balance between modern policing technology and individual privacy. As automated license plate readers become more widespread across the United States, questions about who can access the information, why it is accessed and how that data is monitored are likely to remain an important part of the broader debate surrounding surveillance technology.
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