A former Clinton Township police officer is facing charges for misusing a police database, authorities said. John Hreno, 36, who was an officer with Clinton Township Police Department, is accused of improperly accessing the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), specifically looking up a vehicle license plate that was not part of an official investigation. An audit by the Michigan State Police brought the issue to light, culminating in Hreno's arraignment and subsequent charges.

According to FOX 2 Detroit, Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido expressed disappointment in the breach of trust, stating, "It’s unfortunate that an officer of the law would even be charged with a crime." The misuse of the LEIN system, which includes sensitive information such as personal addresses, is subject to strict protocols to prevent such violations.

The Clinton Township Police Department has remained tight-lipped regarding the details of the off-duty incident that led to Hreno's firing. Despite this, the department emphasized that their internal investigation revealed "substantial violations of departmental rules, policies, directives, and the Michigan compiled laws," as reported by Macomb Daily. The incident culminated in Hreno's termination from the police force.

Hreno was arraigned and charged with unauthorized disclosure of LEIN information, a crime which carries a potential sentence of up to 93 days in jail. He was released on a $5,000 personal bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 15. "It is not only our duty but our obligation to ensure that the law applies equally to all, regardless of profession or position," Lucido emphasized in a statement obtained by The Detroit News. Neither Hreno nor his attorney, Douglas Gutscher, have made a comment on the charges.