News report / department statement and audit analysis
Chayse Allen Hatfield
Authorities’ allegations and reported case history are preserved alongside source provenance.
FL-VERO-BEACH-HATFIELD-2026-09-17
Chayse Allen Hatfield
Vero Beach Police Officer Chayse Allen Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave after a news organization raised questions about possible misuse of the department's Flock Safety system. A TCPalm/USA TODAY analysis found that Hatfield searched a license plate connected to his name 107 times between February and September 2025. The searches occurred on roughly 40 days, and the listed reason was 'TEST.' The department opened a formal investigation.
1 linked source
Last verified September 19, 2026
//Person
Name
Chayse Allen Hatfield
Role title
Police Officer
Role type
Law enforcement
Agency
Vero Beach Police Department
City
Vero Beach
County
Indian River
State
Florida
//Current status
Status
Paid administrative leave; formal investigation pending
Employment outcome
Placed on paid administrative leave
Arrest date
Unknown
Jail
Unknown
Case-status notes
NEW CASE. Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 17, 2026. TCPalm/USA TODAY reported 107 searches of a plate connected to his name between February and September 2025, including 18 searches in a burst on April 23, 2025. The search reason was reported as 'TEST.' No finding of misconduct or criminal charge had been announced as of Sept. 19, 2026; investigation remains pending.
//Alleged conduct and technology
Why this case is in the database
Vero Beach Police Officer Chayse Allen Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave after a news organization raised questions about possible misuse of the department's Flock Safety system. A TCPalm/USA TODAY analysis found that Hatfield searched a license plate connected to his name 107 times between February and September 2025. The searches occurred on roughly 40 days, and the listed reason was 'TEST.' The department opened a formal investigation.
Technology type
Vero Beach Police Officer Chayse Allen Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave after a news organization raised questions about possible misuse of the department's Flock Safety system. A TCPalm/USA TODAY analysis found that Hatfield searched a license plate connected to his name 107 times between February and September 2025. The searches occurred on roughly 40 days, and the listed reason was 'TEST.' The department opened a formal investigation.; Automated License Plate Reader
Reported vendor
Flock Safety
Vendor note
Unknown
Reported product
Unknown
Misuse start
2025-02
Misuse end
2025-09
Known alleged search count
107
Known duration
7.1 months
Possible personal / unauthorized ALPR useinvestigation pending
//Discovery and investigation
Discovery method
Media audit-log analysis; agency investigation after reporter inquiry
Investigating agency
Vero Beach Police Department
Known charge count
Unknown
Charges
Unknown
//Timeline
Media audit-log analysis; agency investigation after reporter inquiry
NEW CASE. Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 17, 2026. TCPalm/USA TODAY reported 107 searches of a plate connected to his name between February and September 2025, including 18 searches in a burst on April 23, 2025. The search reason was reported as 'TEST.' No finding of misconduct or criminal charge had been announced as of Sept. 19, 2026; investigation remains pending.
Placed on paid administrative leave
NEW CASE. Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 17, 2026. TCPalm/USA TODAY reported 107 searches of a plate connected to his name between February and September 2025, including 18 searches in a burst on April 23, 2025. The search reason was reported as 'TEST.' No finding of misconduct or criminal charge had been announced as of Sept. 19, 2026; investigation remains pending.
Investigated
NEW CASE. Hatfield was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 17, 2026. TCPalm/USA TODAY reported 107 searches of a plate connected to his name between February and September 2025, including 18 searches in a burst on April 23, 2025. The search reason was reported as 'TEST.' No finding of misconduct or criminal charge had been announced as of Sept. 19, 2026; investigation remains pending.