Indiana Cop Used Clearview AI to Perform Searches Unrelated to Casework, Audit Finds

A police officer in Evansville, Indiana, Michael Eric Dockery, has resigned after an audit revealed he had misused Clearview AI facial recognition technology for personal purposes. Chief of Police Phil Smith disclosed that Dockery, a five-year veteran of the department, violated Clearview AI’s terms of service.

The misuse was discovered during a routine audit when the department was preparing to renew its Clearview AI licenses. The audit revealed Dockery’s high usage of the software, which did not align with his work output, leading to the discovery of improper searches.

Clearview AI requires law enforcement officers to enter a case number before performing searches. Dockery exploited this system by using legitimate case numbers to conduct unauthorized searches. The probe revealed he ran photos of nine individuals through the software between April and December 2023, none of whom were connected to police investigations. Some of these individuals had asked Dockery to run their photos, while others were unaware.

Dockery resigned on June 5 following a 21-day unpaid suspension. Smith had recommended his termination, but Dockery resigned before the Police Merit Commission could act. The incident has led to the implementation of new safeguards, including mandatory quarterly audits to prevent future abuses. Smith emphasized that Dockery’s actions did not constitute a criminal matter.

In response to the incident, the EPD has renewed its Clearview AI licenses and committed to conducting regular audits. At a press conference, Smith assured the community of the department’s commitment to proper use of the technology and transparency regarding its application. Documents related to future audits will be available for public review upon request, he said.

Source: Courier & Press

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June 12, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy