A former Sarasota police officer is facing felony charges after an investigation revealed he allegedly misused law enforcement databases. Cory Waiters, 38, was arrested and fired after the Sarasota Police Department found he searched a single Florida license plate 358 times through the Flock license plate reader system between May and October 2025. According to the probable-cause affidavit, there was no active criminal investigation tied to that vehicle, raising serious questions about why those searches were conducted.
Waiters, who joined the department in 2023, was placed on paid leave on August 7 before being terminated. He now faces charges of computer misuse and official misconduct. Police Chief Rex Troche addressed the situation directly, stating, “When an agency member’s actions fall short of the standards and professionalism we expect, we will address it appropriately and without hesitation.” The department also conducted an agencywide audit, which confirmed no other compliance issues within the force.
This story touches on a bigger issue for Suncoast residents: how surveillance tools like Flock cameras and the DAVID database are monitored. These systems help solve crimes and keep our beaches and neighborhoods safe, but they also collect significant amounts of personal data. The arrest raises an important question about trust and accountability. Do you think police departments should be required to attach a case number to every database search? Let us know in the comments below.
