MPD detective charged with misconduct while investigating Flock system misuse, leaders respond Milwaukee mayor and police chief stand by the use of Flock Safety license plate reader technology

A Milwaukee internal affairs detective has been charged with criminal misconduct for allegedly misusing the city's license plate reader system and a GPS device to track two individuals, prosecutors said.

Detective Tehrangi Chapman, a member of the Milwaukee Police Department's internal affairs division, was investigating the misuse of the city's license plate reader cameras and one of two officers investigating now former officer Josue Ayala. Ayala pleaded guilty to attempted misconduct in public office for alleged misuse of the license plate reader technology.


Det. Chapman now finds himself at the center of another investigation. Prosecutors charged him with felony misconduct in public office and misuse of a GPS device.



Prosecutors said Chapman admitted to placing a GPS device on a victim's car in 2024 and using the department's license plate reader database, searching what are called Flock cameras, to track that person and another individual.

 When we do cross the line, accountability is real,  Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman told 12 News Investigates Thursday.

Prosecutors say an audit, after Ayala's charge, revealed Det. Chapman used the Flock system to search one person's plate three times. The complaint said Chapman searched a different person's license plate seventeen times. Each time, according to prosecutors, writing  test  or  training  in the search. Police are only allowed to use Flock Safety cameras for law enforcement purposes.

 We're in the business of holding our public accountable upon violations of the law,  said Norman.  We cannot have the credibility or legitimacy if we don't hold ourselves accountable when we cross that. 

After Ayala's charge, Milwaukee Police reduced the number of officers with Flock access, requiring them to sign a user agreement. Police are now also doing monthly audits.

 We're always open to see if there are other best practice

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