Massachusetts police officer resigns, facing criminal charges, after alleged FLOCK misuse, police chief terminates FLOCK relationship

Police Chief Michael Sallese and Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski have announced that an officer has resigned in advance of a scheduled termination hearing.

Jason Rogers was placed on paid administrative leave on June 18, 2026, three hours after the Stow Police Department received a complaint that Rogers had misused law enforcement databases to track someone he knew.

Chief Sallese then directed the department’s executive officer to conduct a thorough internal affairs investigation. The investigation determined that Rogers unlawfully accessed Criminal Offender Record Information through the Criminal Justice Information Services system on at least five occasions and ran vehicle information through both Flock Safety and CJIS systems on multiple dates for no legitimate law enforcement reason.

State law prohibits accessing CJIS for non-policing purposes.

The internal affairs investigation sustained findings of conduct unbecoming of an officer, improper use of an official position, failure to comply with written orders, use of false and unsubstantiated search reasons, and violations of department policies surrounding law enforcement databases.

The Select Board scheduled an employment status hearing with Rogers on July 30, which was postponed. The Town placed Rogers on unpaid leave on July 31. The status hearing rescheduled for August 26 has been canceled.

Stow Police has also filed a court complaint against Rogers seeking charges for unauthorized CJIS queries.

Chief Sallese also forwarded the complete internal affairs report to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission so the agency can take appropriate action regarding Rogers’ certification to work as a police officer in the Commonwealth.

Additionally, Chief Sallese has terminated the Department’s relationship with Flock Safety as a result of this investigation and had the lone remaining camera removed. The Department removed two plate reader cameras earlier in 2026 after evaluating their effectiveness.

Chief Sallese recognized that plate reader technology has assisted the Department in crime-solving and missing persons cases, but must be used in balance with strong policies and oversight.

The Town and Police Department stated that they will have no further comment.