HAINES CITY, Fla. — A Haines City police officer has been arrested after investigators alleged he repeatedly used a law-enforcement license-plate database to monitor a vehicle associated with his estranged wife.
Officer Christopher Goodson faces one count of an offense against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices and one count of official misconduct. Both are third-degree felony charges, according to reporting based on the arrest affidavit. The charges are allegations, and Goodson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Investigation reviewed hundreds of searches
The investigation began after Goodson disclosed to a supervisor that he had searched the Haines City Police Department’s Flock Safety system for his estranged wife’s vehicle, according to the affidavit as reported by Daily Ridge.
Investigators reviewed activity connected to Goodson’s employee credentials from September 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. The review allegedly found 717 searches for the vehicle’s license plate. The affidavit reportedly says the searches were made through a department-issued laptop and cellphone.
Goodson allegedly told a supervisor that he used the searches to keep track of where his children were while they were with his estranged wife. Investigators reported that neither the woman nor the vehicle was connected to a criminal investigation that would have justified the searches.
Official-use labels allegedly selected
The affidavit states that the database entries used several law-enforcement justifications, including motor-vehicle offenses, drugs and narcotics, assault and battery, fleeing and eluding, traffic infractions, theft, wanted persons and felony investigations.
Haines City Police placed Goodson on paid administrative leave while the matter was investigated. The department said Goodson, who had served with Haines City Police since March 2022, indicated that he intended to resign.
Chief announces additional database reviews
Police Chief Isaac Jackson said investigative databases are provided only for legitimate official purposes and that unauthorized or personal use will not be tolerated. Jackson also announced additional quarterly measures intended to verify that department personnel access investigative databases only for legitimate law-enforcement work.
The case was presented to the Polk County State Attorney’s Office on August 11, according to the affidavit.
Sources: Daily Ridge reporting and arrest-affidavit summary; Haines City Police Department “Faces of HCPD” post.
Photo: Haines City Police Department/Facebook.