SHIELDS OF SHAME | GEORGIA FLOCK ABUSE DATABASE | GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Robert Michael “Bobby” Keim: GDC Professional Standards Chief Arrested in Flock License Plate Reader Misuse Investigation

The official tasked with investigating misconduct became the subject of an investigation himself. Robert Michael “Bobby” Keim, identified in the supplied records as a Special Agent in Charge in the Georgia Department of Corrections Office of Professional Standards–Investigation, was reportedly arrested and charged with misuse of a license plate reader system after investigators alleged he accessed the department’s Flock Safety system for purposes unrelated to law enforcement.

The allegations raise questions about oversight of surveillance access among the officials responsible for professional accountability. A charge is not a conviction. The available case information does not identify the plates queried, number of searches, intended purpose or any final court disposition.

What investigators reportedly alleged

According to the case summary supplied to Shields of Shame, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Keim in connection with alleged unauthorized access to a Flock Safety automated license plate reader database. An ALPR system can record vehicle plate observations with associated times and locations. Such records can support legitimate investigations, but querying them without a valid official purpose can expose sensitive information about a vehicle’s movements.

The key issue is whether the particular searches were supported by legitimate law-enforcement work. That question requires the underlying audit trail, access permissions, entered reasons, case references and investigative findings—not speculation about whose vehicle was involved or why the searches were made.

The timeline: promotion, GBI request, arrest and POST review

• August 1, 2026: Keim reportedly promoted to Special Agent in Charge in GDC Professional Standards–Investigation.
• August 18, 2026: Georgia Department of Corrections reportedly requests a GBI investigation into suspected unauthorized Flock access.
• September 1, 2026: Keim reportedly arrested and booked on a license plate reader misuse charge.
• September 1, 2026: Supplied POST-related account refers to a Putnam County employment entry marked “Terminated.” The relationship of this entry to Keim’s GDC role needs confirmation from the underlying employment record; it should not automatically be described as a GDC termination.
• September 7, 2026: Georgia POST investigation reportedly opened.
• At the time of the supplied record: Officer status listed “File Review Required.” This is an administrative review designation, not by itself proof of a sanction or conviction.

Why his role matters

The GDC Office of Professional Standards–Investigation is responsible for addressing allegations of wrongdoing and maintaining professional accountability. A Special Agent in Charge working in that environment can be expected to understand why sensitive investigative systems require documented, authorized access. That makes the audit controls relevant: who approved Keim’s Flock credentials, what permission level did he hold, were searches periodically reviewed and who was responsible for examining activity by supervisory investigators?

It is not yet established whether the alleged access affected any separate internal investigation, involved another employee or exposed records outside the agency. Those are appropriate subjects for records requests rather than factual assertions.

Georgia POST certification and training records

Shields of Shame is publishing the supplied Georgia POST certification image and training transcript for readers to examine Keim’s professional history. The case summary identifies the administrative status as File Review Required and a POST investigation opening on September 7, 2026. Neither field should be conflated with a final POST sanction. Any subsequent suspension, revocation, reinstatement or investigation closure requires an updated official record.

Read Keim’s Georgia POST training record (PDF) ↗

View Georgia POST certification screenshot ↗

The Putnam County entry needs clarification

The supplied account refers to Putnam County employment as “Terminated” on September 1, 2026, although Keim’s described position was with the Georgia Department of Corrections. This discrepancy cannot be resolved by assuming the record means that GDC terminated him. The complete POST employment-history page, effective dates, employing-agency codes and GDC personnel separation documentation should establish whether the entry reflects a separate appointment, an administrative reporting convention or an actual employment action by a particular agency.

The records that can answer the central questions

Shields of Shame recommends requesting Keim’s complete Flock search audit, including the exact account identifier, search dates and times, queried plate numbers where legally releasable, recorded search purposes, related incident or case numbers, results viewed, exports and any supervisory approvals. Additional requests should cover GDC’s ALPR policy, account-provisioning and training records, the referral to the GBI, investigative case identifiers, the arrest warrant and affidavit, any personnel action, and updated Georgia POST records.

For each withheld record, request the specific statutory exemption under the Georgia Open Records Act and release of all reasonably segregable nonexempt information. An audit export can often answer factual questions more precisely than a press-release summary.

Original case documents and images

Frequently asked questions

Who is Robert Michael Keim?

The supplied case materials identify him as a Georgia Department of Corrections Special Agent in Charge in the Office of Professional Standards–Investigation.

What was Keim charged with?

The supplied account reports a charge of misuse of a license plate reader system after alleged non-law-enforcement use of GDC’s Flock system.

When did the investigation begin?

GDC reportedly requested a GBI investigation August 18, 2026. A separate Georgia POST investigation reportedly opened September 7, after the September 1 arrest.

What does “File Review Required” mean?

It is the status shown in the supplied POST account. It should not be treated as a conviction or as proof that POST imposed a particular sanction.

How many searches did he allegedly conduct?

The number of searches, plate identities and purposes have not been established in the materials supplied here.

Was he convicted?

No final criminal disposition is established by the materials used for this page.

Related Georgia ALPR investigations

Sean Edward Gunderson Morrow — Richmond County Sheriff’s Office ↗

Taylor Lynn McArthur — Hall County Sheriff’s Office ↗

Institute for Justice — ALPR abuse research database ↗

Editorial note: This article distinguishes reported criminal allegations from Georgia POST administrative entries and employment history. Charges do not establish guilt. The exact Flock queries and final dispositions remain unverified. Published October 13, 2026.