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by WILL FOLKS
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For the second time in as many weeks, a sheriff’s office in the South Carolina Lowcountry has terminated a deputy for misusing taxpayer-funded Flock cameras. Additional terminations from the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) could be forthcoming, sources familiar with the situation have confirmed to FITSNews.
On Monday morning (August 31, 2026), CCSO announced that lieutenant Kevin Smalls had been terminated based on the completion of an internal audit initiated earlier this month. According to a statement issued by the agency, Smalls conducted 62 unauthorized searches using the Flock system for personal reasons over a six-month period.
“These searches included inquiries involving vehicles registered to the lieutenant’s spouse and other acquaintances,” the statement noted.
Based on the results of the internal audit, Colleton County sheriff Buddy Hill stated that he recently contacted the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to “request a criminal investigation into potential criminal conduct.”
SLED confirmed it received a request to investigate “allegations of misuse of the Flock system” by Smalls on August 18, 2026.
“This matter is currently an active case, and the sheriff’s office is unable to release additional information regarding the specific searches or other details of the investigation at this time,” Hill’s statement added.
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Eleven days ago, Hill announced the termination of lieutenant Ruben Carter for allegedly conducting unauthorized Flock searches on 14 individuals over a one-year period.
“Those searches included inquiries involving the lieutenant himself, fellow deputies, friends and former associates, resulting in more than 2,700 instances of unauthorized use of the Flock system,” the announcement of Carter’s termination noted.
Hill’s agency uncovered these violations following a directive issued by the sheriff on August 11, 2026 to have his office of professional responsibility assume oversight of Flock system audits. Previously, the agency’s criminal investigations division administered the system and conducted the audits – a process which Hill claimed provided “significantly less detailed information and was limited to data available in 30-day increments.”
In addition to enhancing the robustness of internal audits, Hill amended CCSO’s policies governing the use of Flock cameras to “strengthen accountability, restrict access and prevent future misuse.” Under the new system, individual deputies no longer have access to the system except during specific active investigations – and each instance of temporary access is followed by a mandatory audit. CCSO’s office of professional responsibility will also conduct weekly audits of the Flock system “during normal operations.”
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RELATED | COUNTY DEMANDS PRESERVATION OF FLOCK LOGS
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“The public trusts law enforcement to use these systems properly, and that trust must never be abused,” Hill’s statement noted.
Does the public trust law enforcement to use these systems properly, though?
They’d certainly be forgiven if not based on the chronic abuse we’ve uncovered in recent weeks.
Reaction to the misuse of Flock cameras has dominated headlines across the Palmetto State this summer. Last week, we reported on one Upstate municipality that’s suspending its program – and one Upstate county that’s moving to eliminate their use altogether.
Count on FITSNews to keep our audience apprised as to any new developments regarding Flock abuse – as well as updates regarding efforts aimed at holding law enforcement accountable for how it uses this technology.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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1 comment
Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson and 3 of his council members all defied the 100% of citizens protesting putting FLOCK Spy cameras in Irmo. Only Gabriel Penfield voted against them. He was the only person representing the Irmo Citizens wishes. ALL BUT ONE OF THE ENTIRE IRMO CITY COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY MAYOR DANIELSON: SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REMOVED FROM OFFICE. Obvious money is being used to bribe these scum bags. IN MY OPINION.