Clinton Township police officer charged with misusing LEIN computer system

A Clinton Township police officer has found himself in hot water after being charged with the misuse of the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN). John Hreno, a former officer with the Clinton Township Police Department, allegedly ran a license plate through the LEIN system in August of 2022, despite the plate not being the subject of any active investigation.

Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido expressed disappointment in the situation, stating, “It’s unfortunate that an officer of the law would even be charged with a crime or even be a suspect in a crime. Because we do trust and look up to law enforcement.” Lucido emphasized that the LEIN system is meant to be used for law enforcement purposes and not for personal reasons.

The LEIN system provides access to a wealth of information, including a person’s address. Lucido explained that every search conducted through LEIN is recorded, with users required to input a code indicating the purpose of the search. In the case of Hreno, it is alleged that there was no legitimate reason for accessing the information, raising suspicions of personal use.

While the specifics of what Hreno did with the information obtained from LEIN have not been disclosed, Lucido indicated that the investigation is ongoing. Hreno, 36, has been charged with unauthorized disclosure of LEIN information, a misdemeanor that carries a potential 93-day sentence. He was arraigned in Clinton Township District Court and given a $5,000 personal bond, with his next court date scheduled for May 15th.

FOX 2 reached out to the Clinton Township Police Department for comment on the situation but has not received a response as of yet. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of law enforcement systems and the consequences that can result from their misuse.

Written by staticwire