Police Chief Jason Thody is recommending the termination of two New Bedford Police Department officers following an internal investigation that found they misused the department’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology and violated multiple department policies.
Officer Emily Pacheco and Sgt. James Marinelli will face disciplinary hearings under Civil Service law. The hearings could result in their termination.
The investigation began after Chief Thody ordered a comprehensive audit of the department’s use of Flock Safety ALPR technology on July 31, following concerns about possible misuse of the system.
That same day, the audit identified activity involving Pacheco that raised concerns about possible unauthorized use. Her access to the Flock system was immediately suspended, and the matter was referred to the department’s Professional Standards Unit for further investigation.
Pacheco was placed on administrative duty when she returned to work Aug. 1 and was later placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 10 following the issuance of an Emergency Restraining Order in a court-related matter.
According to the investigation, Pacheco was found to have committed sustained violations involving ALPR technology and the misuse of department resources. Investigators also found violations related to inaccurate information entered into department systems, failure to follow established procedures and conduct inconsistent with the standards expected of department personnel.
The investigation determined that department resources were used for purposes outside legitimate law enforcement responsibilities, conduct that the department said undermined public confidence in the appropriate use of police resources.
Marinelli’s use of the ALPR system was identified during the department’s ongoing audit on Aug. 5. His access to Flock was deactivated that same day.
According to the Professional Standards Unit, Marinelli used the system for personal reasons, including searches that investigators could not substantiate as legitimate law enforcement inquiries. Some of the searches also included inaccurate or unsupported reasons.
Chief: “These officers failed us”
Chief Thody said the findings are particularly serious because police officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information and resources unavailable to the general public.
“Members of the New Bedford Police Department are entrusted with authority and access to sensitive information that the general public does not have,” Chief Thody said. “Our officers are held to a higher standard, and when that trust is violated, it is exceptionally disappointing and damaging.”
Thody emphasized that the investigation was not simply about the technology itself, but about how officers chose to use their access.
“While the Flock audit brought these concerns to our attention, the misconduct identified goes far beyond the misuse of Flock technology,” Thody said. “The technology did not fail us; these officers failed us, and they must be held accountable.”
The chief is now reviewing the department’s policies and guidelines governing ALPR technology.
The department has also developed a set of potential restrictions and safeguards aimed at preventing misuse while addressing residents’ privacy concerns and preserving the public-safety benefits of ALPR technology.
Thody is seeking input from New Bedford residents as the department considers additional safeguards for the system.
Residents can provide feedback by emailing shareyourthoughts@newbedfordpd.com or completing the department’s online survey:
