The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) announced on Sept. 23 that four suspended officers and one former officer have been formally charged by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) with fraud and official misconduct due to potential misuse of automatic license plate readers (ALPR).
The Flock camera network, a type of ALPR, is utilized by local law enforcement to identify vehicle license plates and log information into a searchable database. These camera stations have recently become highly controversial due to widespread privacy concerns.
“Today is a deeply disheartening and disappointing day for IMPD. These individuals’ actions went far beyond a clerical error or a violation of department policy. These actions crossed into criminal conduct and shook the foundation of trust that our agency is built upon,” IMPD Chief Tanya Terry said.
According to the IMPD, in August and September 2026, internal audits identified potential misuse of ALPR technology by the five officers. IMPD initiated administrative and criminal investigations.
Based on the investigation’s preliminary findings, Terry placed all five officers on administrative duty with no police powers and revoked their access to ALPR systems. One officer subsequently resigned, but the administrative and criminal investigations into that officer’s ALPR use continued.
Local officials have expressed how this incident is a breach of trust for Hoosier law enforcement.
“The allegations outlined in these cases are profoundly disappointing and represent a serious blow to public trust,” said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. “Automated license plate reader technology is a powerful law enforcement tool, and with that power comes the responsibility to use it lawfully and appropriately. What is alleged in these cases is a gross misuse of that responsibility, and that conduct undermines the trust our community must have in law enforcement.”
Mayor Joe Hogsett has since condemned the officers’ alleged use of this technology while commending Terry for swiftly taking action to hold those officers accountable.
“Technology has proven to be an essential tool in modern policing; however, any technology or police database must be used for the sole purpose of keeping our city safe. The alleged misuse of ALPR technology by five IMPD officers is absolutely unacceptable. Actions like these erode the community’s trust in law enforcement and it violates the sworn oaths these officers took to protect and serve our neighborhoods,” Hogsett said.
He added, “I commend Chief Terry for her swift actions to hold these officers accountable. I remain confident in IMPD’s continued work to strengthen policies and auditing practices to ensure all policing tools are used properly and strictly for the benefit of public safety.”
Below, Mears released the following information about the officers involved and the charges being filed.
- Matthew Binford is charged with Official Misconduct (Level 6 Felony) and Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Abigail Cramer is charged with six counts of Official Misconduct (Level 6 Felonies) and six counts of Fraud (Class A Misdemeanors).
- Cassandra Crawley is charged with eight counts of Official Misconduct (Level 6 Felonies) and eight counts of Fraud (Class A Misdemeanors).
- Michael Rogers is charged with three counts of Official Misconduct (Level 6 Felonies) and three counts of Fraud (Class A Misdemeanors).
- Jonathan Schultz is charged with 12 counts of Official Misconduct (Level 6 Felonies), 12 counts of Fraud (Class A Misdemeanors), and two counts of Stalking (Level 6 Felonies).
According to local officials, these charges are a result of an ongoing internal investigation by the department’s Special Investigations Unit and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
As privacy concerns have grown, Indianapolis residents have expressed their concern about the matter.
“I’m glad there is accountability, but I don’t think accountability ends with firing or charging five officers,” Ciana Authier, a local resident told the Recorder. “I want transparency about what happened, who was affected how the misuse went undetected and what safeguards are being put in place so this can’t happen again, and as a Black woman I’m especially interested in whether this technology is being used fairly and consistently across the community.”
According to the IMPD, the alleged misuse occurred prior to the implementation of IMPD’s new ALPR policy. In August 2026, IMPD issued an updated ALPR Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Every ALPR user was required to acknowledge and sign the policy to keep access. Those who did not sign had their access shut off.
All searches must now be tied to a case or incident number as well as a National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) offense code. IMPD has also implemented different auditing procedures intended to more quickly identify and investigate potential misuse and ensure every search is for a legitimate law enforcement purpose.
IMPD is currently converting the ALPR SOP to a General Order, which will be presented to the General Orders Board for feedback before a final version is issued. Once finalized, the General Order will be available to the public.
For more information visit indy.gov/activity/connect-with-impd.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
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