Naperville officer retires after misusing surveillance to track ex-fiancée's partner

A Naperville, Illinois, police officer has retired following an internal investigation into the misuse of automated license plate reading technology. Internal records indicate that Officer Oscar Maldonado used Flock Safety surveillance tools to track the vehicle of Patrick Dowhen, a man who was not a criminal suspect, approximately 150 times over a three-month period.

The investigation revealed that the surveillance began after Maldonado started a relationship with Dowhen’s then-fiancée. Dowhen reported that the officer was feeding personal location information to his ex-fiancée, allowing her to monitor his movements, such as his trips to work or the gym.

Naperville investigators concluded there was a “preponderance of the evidence” that Maldonado used the technology for personal reasons rather than official police business. The case highlights growing concerns regarding the potential for law enforcement to abuse mass surveillance grids for personal stalking or unauthorized tracking.