Jan Conboy (@javelina)

A South Carolina sheriff ordered an audit of his own department's Flock searches. Two days later, he had an answer. Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill issued the directive on Aug. 11. By Aug. 13 the enhanced audit had identified more than 2,700 unauthorized license plate searches run by a single supervisor — Lt. Ruben Carter — covering 14 people over about a year, among them himself, fellow deputies, friends and former associates. Carter was fired. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has opened an investigation into potential criminal conduct. He has not been charged. Then the office changed how the system works. Individual deputies no longer have Flock access. Searches run through the communications division. Temporary access triggers a follow-up audit. The Office of Professional Responsibility now audits the system weekly.