SHIELDS OF SHAME • GEORGIA FLOCK ABUSE DATABASE • CASE 003

Anthony Michael Trapani: Flock Misuse Allegations Followed Officer from Acworth to Emerson

A Georgia officer with 2,192 reported training hours and advanced professional credentials is accused of improperly using a police license-plate surveillance system—even after transferring to another department. The question is not only what he allegedly searched, but who was checking his access.

The investigation began in Acworth—but the alleged conduct crossed agency lines

According to the GBI’s September 14, 2026 announcement, the Acworth Police Department asked state investigators to examine allegations that Trapani used its Flock Safety license-plate reader system for non-law-enforcement purposes. The GBI said preliminary information suggested the alleged misuse began while he worked for Acworth and continued after he moved to Emerson in 2025.

That distinction matters. A transfer should trigger review of credentials, permissions and access to sensitive law-enforcement systems. The GBI has not publicly explained whether Trapani retained an Acworth account, accessed shared data through another account, or used some other authorized technical pathway for the allegedly unauthorized purpose. None of those possibilities should be presented as established fact without the audit trail.

2,192 hours of training—and the questions training cannot answer

Trapani’s supplied Georgia POST record is described as showing 2,192 training hours, advanced certification, field-training-officer credentials and an active general-instructor certification. His listed coursework includes ethics, internal affairs, cybersecurity, professional standards, off-duty conduct, search and seizure and the duty to intervene. The original certification record is linked below for readers to inspect.

Training is important, but it does not substitute for oversight. Did supervisors review Flock search histories? Were search reasons required and checked? Did anyone audit accounts after personnel transfers? These are unanswered questions, not proven findings of institutional negligence.

From Acworth to Emerson: what the timeline shows

1. Before 2025: Trapani served with Acworth Police, where investigators allege improper use of the agency’s Flock system began.
2. 2025: Trapani transferred to Emerson Police Department. The GBI alleges the misuse continued after this move.
3. September 10, 2026: Supplied case notes report Emerson terminated his employment.
4. September 14, 2026: Trapani surrendered and was booked at the Cobb County Jail, then the Bartow County Jail, according to the GBI.
5. September 14, 2026: GBI announced two license-plate reader misuse counts and an oath-of-office count, describing the investigation as active.

Two misuse counts and an oath-of-office charge

GBI reported three charges: two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and one count of violation of oath of office. Two counts do not necessarily mean there were only two database searches. The total number, timing, search subjects and alleged purpose have not been publicly established in the GBI announcement.

Local reporting adds that the alleged activity spans Cobb and Bartow counties. FOX 5 reported a four-felony characterization, while the GBI announcement identifies three charges; charging instruments are needed to resolve the difference before presenting a definitive count beyond the GBI’s statement.

Georgia POST status and administrative consequences

The supplied case account says Trapani’s POST status changed to “File Review Required” and his law-enforcement certifications were suspended, with an investigation opened on his arrest date. The exact sanction dates and present status should be verified against the original certification PDF and any later POST order. Certification discipline is a separate process from criminal adjudication.

The records that could answer the real questions

Original case materials

Independent sources and related reporting

Why this case matters

License-plate readers can serve legitimate investigations, but a powerful surveillance system is only as accountable as the people and policies governing access. Trapani’s case raises a particularly important cross-agency question: how do police departments verify that officers who leave retain only the permissions they are entitled to use? Until the relevant logs and policies are released, the public has a charge announcement, not a complete accounting.

Frequently asked questions

What is Anthony Trapani accused of?

The GBI charged him with two counts of license-plate reader system misuse and one count of violating his oath of office.

Did the alleged misuse continue after he left Acworth?

According to the GBI’s preliminary findings, yes: the alleged conduct continued after his 2025 move to Emerson.

How many Flock searches are alleged?

The total number has not been publicly established in the official release. Criminal counts and search totals should not be confused.

Has Trapani been convicted?

No conviction has been independently verified for this article. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.