Behind the Flock Investigation

Suncoast Searchlight Executive Editor-in-Chief Emily Le Coz talks with USA TODAY investigative reporter Kenny Jacoby about his nationwide investigation into the use — and misuse — of Flock license-plate reader technology by law enforcement. The investigation had a Sarasota connection: A Sarasota police officer was fired and arrested after the reporting uncovered hundreds of searches he made using Flock cameras. In this conversation, Jacoby explains how he and his colleagues uncovered the story, what their reporting revealed about the rapidly expanding surveillance network, and the questions it raises about privacy, oversight and accountability.