Upstate Deputy of the Year Resigns, Internal Probe Exposes Flock Surveillance Abuse

An Anderson County Sheriff's Office master deputy recognized as Deputy of the Year in 2024 has resigned amid an internal affairs investigation into his misuse of the Flock Safety surveillance system. Eric Center stepped down effective immediately after department officials discovered he utilized the third-party network for unauthorized purposes outside standard agency policy.

The sheriff's office confirmed the resignation following inquiries regarding the internal probe. According to ACSO Sergeant Kendall Cash, the department conferred with 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black, who determined that Center's actions violated agency rules but did not warrant a criminal investigation.

'During the course of the internal affairs investigation, Deputy Center resigned from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, effective immediately,' stated Sgt. Kendall Cash via email.

Center's departure adds to a mounting series of scandals involving law enforcement officers abusing automated license plate readers across Palmetto State agencies. Recent months have seen terminations and disciplinary actions in multiple jurisdictions after officers allegedly tracked former romantic partners or conducted thousands of unapproved database searches.

While local departments continue facing intense scrutiny over privacy violations and surveillance oversight, lawmakers and municipal councils are weighing stricter regulations and outright bans on automated tracking technology.