Milwaukee police officer faces attempted misconduct charge over alleged improper use of Flock search technology

Charge filed after internal investigation

A Milwaukee Police Department officer has been charged with attempted misconduct in public office following allegations of improper use of Flock technology, a law-enforcement tool used for automated license plate recognition and related video surveillance functions.

The criminal charge was filed Tuesday by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. The officer, identified by the department as Josue Ayala, was placed on full suspension in December after the department said it learned of the allegation and opened an Internal Affairs Division investigation. The department said Ayala remains on full suspension while a tentative resignation agreement is pending.

What the charge means and what is known so far

Attempted misconduct in public office is a criminal allegation that a public employee misused authority connected to the job. The publicly described allegation centers on use of the Flock system, which logs user activity and is designed to be used for legitimate law-enforcement purposes. The available public information does not specify the underlying case context for the alleged searches, what information was sought, or whether the activity was connected to an active investigation.

If convicted, Ayala could face up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000, based on the maximum penalties cited with the charge.

Flock technology and the accountability questions it raises

Flock systems have become more common in policing because they can quickly search for vehicles connected to investigations, including stolen vehicles and suspects’ cars, across networks of cameras. Those capabilities have also put a premium on clear rules for access, auditing, and discipline, since the same tools can be misused for non-investigative purposes.

In recent years, scrutiny of automated license plate reader systems nationally has often focused on three areas: who is authorized to search, how searches are documented, and whether outside agencies can gain access to locally collected data. The allegations in the Milwaukee case arise from user searches rather than the operation of the cameras themselves, but the case highlights how the integrity of the system depends on individual compliance and oversight mechanisms.

Department response and next procedural steps

Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said the department expects the highest ethical standards from employees and that violations of the code of conduct will be addressed, while emphasizing due process and the presumption of innocence.

With a criminal case filed and an internal process already underway, the next developments are expected to come through court proceedings and any finalized employment action by the department. Key unresolved factual issues include what specific searches were performed, whether they were linked to a documented investigative purpose, and how the alleged misuse was detected and verified through auditing or supervisory review.

• Officer identified by the department: Josue Ayala
• Charge: attempted misconduct in public office
• Employment status: full suspension since December; tentative resignation agreement pending
• Maximum penalties cited: up to nine months in jail and a fine up to $10,000

The case remains in the early stages, and the officer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.