COP ALLEGEDLY TRACKED ESTRANGED WIFE’S CAR 717 TIMES
A Haines City officer allegedly used Flock cameras to track his estranged wife’s car 717 times, and he now faces two criminal charges. Christopher Goodson, 31, told a supervisor he was trying to keep tabs on his children when they were with her, according to an arrest affidavit.
Goodson, who joined the Haines City Police Department in Florida in March 2022, was arrested and charged on August 11, 2026, The Ledger reported.
The text that set it off
The affidavit said Goodson’s wife texted him on August 10, 2026, to say The Washington Post had contacted her. The paper, she told him, planned to write about his use of the Flock database to follow her location.
Goodson then told Lt. Donald Carter he had made “several inquiries” about the vehicle, WSB-TV reported. About 6:30 p.m. that day, department command staff were notified of possible misuse. A criminal investigation was opened, and Goodson was placed on paid administrative leave, according to the department’s news release.
Investigators found 717 searches of the license plate on her vehicle in the Flock database between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. Some happened on duty and some off duty, FOX10 reported.
The searches were not evenly spread out. WFLA reported that 280 of them came in September 2025 alone, with another 104 in November 2025.
Investigators determined his wife was not involved in any criminal investigation, and her vehicle was not listed as part of a crime. The searches were made on a department-issued laptop and cellphone, WSB-TV reported.
Charges and the department’s response
Goodson was charged with one count of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, plus one count of official misconduct, The Daily Ridge reported. The outlet said both are third-degree felonies and that the case was presented to the Polk County State Attorney’s Office on August 11, 2026.
The allegations have not been proven in court. According to the department’s news release, Goodson indicated he intended to resign as a result of the investigation.
“This is an unfortunate incident,” Police Chief Isaac Jackson said in the release. “The Haines City Police Department fully supports all appropriate investigative measures necessary to solve crimes and assist our officers in carrying out their duties. We want to make it clear that the Haines City Police Department does not tolerate the misuse, unauthorized access or personal use of any investigative databases or law-enforcement information systems.”
Jackson added that the resources “are provided for legitimate official purposes only and must be used responsibly and in accordance with department policies and applicable laws.” He also ordered additional quarterly reviews to make sure staff members access databases appropriately.
Flock cameras are automated license plate readers made by Atlanta-based Flock Safety, The Ledger reported. They capture plate numbers, vehicle type, color and other identifying features, then organize that information into a searchable system used by participating agencies. Supporters call the technology another tool for solving crimes, while privacy advocates have raised concerns about how vehicle data is collected, stored and accessed.
Tampa Bay 28 reported the department had not conducted formal Flock audits before the Goodson investigation.
On August 12, 2026, Haines City police announced new safeguards. Each search must now be tied to a valid case or incident number, and users must get annual retraining. Quarterly audits will examine search reasons, frequency, usage patterns and the accuracy of the information entered.
