New Bedford Mayor Fires Two Police Officers Following Flock Camera Investigation

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Mayor Jon Mitchell has fired the two New Bedford Police officers who were accused of abusing the Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Reader system, following an audit of the department’s use of ALPR technology.

On September 3, New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody had recommended firing both Officer Emily Pacheco and Sergeant James Marinelli after an internal affairs investigation determined they both misused ALPR technology and violated several NBPD policies and procedures when using the technology to track individuals who were not part of any ongoing investigation and with whom they had personal relationships.

READ MORE: New Bedford Police Seek Public Input on Flock Future After Recommending Officer Firings

Internal Audit Uncovers Systemic Misuse

The investigations into their misconduct were part of a larger audit of the department’s use of Flock cameras, an audit that is still ongoing. A comprehensive audit of Flock use in 2026 has been completed, but a separate audit covering the period from the department’s first use of Flock cameras on December 20, 2024, through December 31, 2025, remains underway.

Civil Service law required that both Pacheco and Marinelli face disciplinary hearings which may result in termination. With those hearings apparently complete, Mitchell made the decision to fire both individuals.

READ MORE: The Complete (But Redacted) Report on Officer Pacheco

READ MORE: The Complete (But Redacted) Report on Sgt. Marinelli

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Mayor Mitchell and Chief Thody Respond

“The conduct uncovered by the police department’s internal audit represents more than failure of compliance with policies and regulations; it is a breach of public trust,” Mitchell said. “The men and women of the New Bedford Police Department strive to keep the public safe and are expected to uphold their oaths to perform their duties consistent with the law. The two officers in question failed that standard and are being held accountable.”

“The investigations into Emily Pacheco and James Marinelli uncovered repeated patterns of misuse of the Flock system for personal reasons and violations of department rules and policies," Thody said. "Our officers are entrusted with access to sensitive law enforcement information and are expected to use that access only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. This conduct falls far short of the standards expected of every member of this department and police officers in general. These terminations reflect the seriousness of the violations and our commitment to accountability.”

Future of Flock Cameras and City Council Action

Thody ordered the audit of the Flock technology on July 31, 2026. He made the decision to turn off the Flock system in New Bedford on August 11, 2026. The system remains off, with the New Bedford City Council looking to make it permanent through an ordinance that was passed to a second reading that will be done at tonight’s council meeting.

READ MORE: New Bedford Shuts Down Flock Cameras

The permanent ban ordinance is designed to keep the Flock cameras off while the council, Chief Thody, and others work together to come up with a comprehensive list of policies and regulations for further use of ALPR or other technologies by New Bedford Police. Once completed, a new ordinance codifying those guidelines will be voted in to replace the ordinance banning their use.

“As the department continues its broader audit and review, we remain focused on evaluating restrictions and safeguards to ensure that any potential future use of this technology, or others, is guided by clear policies and appropriate oversight,” Thody said.

READ MORE: Mitchell Slams 'Rushed' Vote on ALPR Technology

“I am also grateful to Chief Thody for getting to the bottom of this matter and his engagement with the public concerning the use of ALPR technology,” Mitchell said. “Members of the public have raised reasonable concerns about privacy implications of ALPR systems, which should be fully considered before the department contemplates its further use.”