An Ohio county prosecutor says he will not pursue criminal charges against a 911 dispatcher who snapped a photo of a driver’s license photo from a computer screen and texted it to a sheriff’s deputy, saying there was no criminal intent or conduct. However, officials of the Athens 911 Center investigated the incident, and Kimberly Hastings now faces a three-day, unpaid suspension for violating regulations that govern use of the state’s Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). Hastings has appealed the suspension, and an arbitration hearing has been scheduled. According to the Athens County prosecutor Keller Blackburn, last May a sheriff’s deputy encountered a man whose identify could not be confirmed. Hastings allegedly ran the man’s name through LEADS from the comm center to obtain his driver’s license record, which included his photo. Hastings used her personal smartphone to take a picture of the driver’s license photo from the computer screen, and then texted it to the deputy. Blackburn said there was no proof of a second allegation a month later that Hastings texted a screen-shot of another LEADS screen to a family member. A second dispatcher at the Athens 911 center was given a one-day suspension for being aware of the first incident but failing to report it to a supervisor.
4 comments… add one
This is dumb. Sounds like official use and using initiative to overcome technological shortcomings of the department. There has to be more to the story.
I think the issue the department has, is the Dispatcher is transmitting government data, records and confidential information over a non-government and unauthorized device. There are State and Federal rules/regulations for “equipment” standards and protections, which most don’t allow “personal” computers. Not only that, but using your personal equipment often allows for search/seizure for examination. Most “modernized” departments have “use of personal equipment” policies.
I’m trying to figure out why she had to use a cell phone to take the photo? She could have sent it right from the LEADS computer.
I’m curious if the officer requested that she send the photo that way for some specific reason. It is surprising to me that no other officers or dispatchers raised a red flag.
You must log in to post a comment. Log in now.