Covington, Newton County, GA (August 27, 2026) - The GBI has arrested and charged former Covington Police Department (CPD) Officer Michael Canty, age 29, of Covington, GA, with Misuse of a License Plate Reader System and one count of Violation of Oath of Office.

On August 6, 2026, the Covington Police Department requested the GBI to investigate allegations of misuse of the Covington Police Department Flock Safety System. Preliminary information indicates that Canty accessed the Flock Safety System for non-law enforcement purposes.

Canty was arrested on August 26, 2026, and was booked into the Newton County Jail.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the GBI Tipline at 800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile application.

Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Contact

Public & Governmental Affairs Director Sara Lue

[email protected]