The Stow Police Department says one of its own crossed a line after an internal review concluded a detective ran unauthorized searches of law enforcement databases. Detective Jason Rogers has been placed on administrative leave while the town pursues both a criminal complaint and internal personnel action, including an employee-status hearing before the Select Board. According to the department, the review found multiple instances where Rogers allegedly sought information that did not tie back to any active police purpose.
According to Boston 25 News, a Worcester County resident contacted Stow police on June 18 and alleged Rogers had used departmental and state systems to pull personal information. The outlet reports that an internal affairs review then uncovered attempts across 2024 and 2025 to obtain information related to that same complainant.
What Investigators Say They Found
In a news release issued through its public-relations firm, the department said investigators identified five instances in which Rogers accessed the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Stow police formally filed a criminal complaint on Friday and said a clerk-magistrate will later decide whether the evidence is strong enough to support criminal charges, according to the department’s release via John Guilfoil Public Relations.
Why CJIS Access Can Carry Legal Consequences
State rules keep a tight lid on CJIS access, limiting searches to legitimate criminal-justice purposes. Using the system for personal reasons or any non-policing purpose is explicitly barred and can trigger discipline. The Stow Police Department says it notified the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services as part of its review, consistent with the state CJIS regulations at 803 CMR.
Next Steps for Rogers and the Town
The criminal and personnel tracks will move ahead on separate paths. A clerk-magistrate’s review of the complaint could result in formal charges, while the Select Board is expected to schedule an employee-status hearing to consider possible discipline or termination, according to the department’s release. Because it is an active personnel matter, town officials and police leaders have declined to comment further while the investigation plays out.
Rogers is listed on the Stow Police Department roster as a detective and acting sergeant, roles that have also been noted in town meeting minutes and public records. Residents who want updates on the Select Board hearing or on department policies for accessing records can check the Stow Police Department’s public page, where official notices are posted.
