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Mayor Andrew Ginther pauses Columbus license plate reader use following officer misuse investigation

Mayor Andrew Ginther has paused the city of Columbus's use of Flock Safety license plate readers. The decision follows an investigation into the alleged misuse of the technology by a police officer. Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the change on Thursday. Chief Bryant stated that the officer involved, Melvin Tellis, was relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation. The officer allegedly searched for the same license plates hundreds of times for personal reasons rather than for law-enforcement investigations. Mayor Andrew Ginther stated that the technology should serve the public rather than personal interests. He directed Chief Bryant to work with an independent third party to conduct a full audit of the Flock technology. Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin expressed support for the pause, noting that public trust is a necessary ingredient of public safety. The City Council is currently debating new rules and legislation to create criminal penalties for the misuse of camera data.

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