Savannah Police Confirmed Past Flock System Misuse

An internal investigator testified regarding officer misconduct during a recent Civil Service Board appeal hearing.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a monolithic municipal column against a somber sky, representing institutional oversight and policy accountability. — The Savannah Police Department confirmed that multiple officers misused the department's Flock Safety surveillance system, according to internal testimony provided during a recent appeal hearing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A Savannah Police Department internal investigator has confirmed that multiple officers misused the department's Flock Safety System. The admission came during a Civil Service Board appeal hearing regarding the termination of a former officer.

Why it matters

The testimony sheds light on internal accountability measures after the department bypassed the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to handle cases of surveillance system abuse internally.

Four Savannah Police Department employees have been arrested, including Matthew Rich, Marquis Dillard, Donald Phillips, and Calandic Thomas. Each faces multiple counts of misuse of a license plate reader system.

The players

Savannah Police Department

This is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Savannah and maintaining public order.

Civil Service Board

This body oversees employment appeals and administrative reviews for civil servants within the local government jurisdiction.

Matthew Rich

He is a former officer who faces two counts of misuse of a license plate reader and one count of violating his oath of office.

Marquis Dillard

He is a former officer facing two counts of misuse of a license plate reader and one count of violation of oath of office.

Donald Phillips

He is a former officer currently facing two counts of misuse of a license plate reader and a charge of violating his oath of office.

The details

During the hearing at the Floyd Adams Complex, it was revealed that the department lacks a formal training program for the Flock Safety System. Investigations into the misuse were managed entirely in-house without outside oversight from state investigators.

The Savannah Civil Service Board held the appeal hearing on September 21, 2026.
The Civil Service Board was originally established by the General Assembly in 1949.

Legal Context

This case reflects broader challenges in regulating the use of automated license plate recognition technology by municipal law enforcement. As departments adopt these tools, they often face scrutiny over internal accountability mechanisms and adherence to standard operational procedures.

Residents may see continued administrative focus on police technology oversight following these confirmed cases of internal policy violations. The case highlights the current lack of formal training programs for surveillance systems within the city's police force.

The takeaway

The department's decision to handle these cases internally without state-level involvement raises significant questions regarding standard police accountability protocols. Increased public demand for formal training and transparent oversight of surveillance systems remains a critical path forward for city officials.