This past year, our community in the Cleveland area was confronted with a troubling story that touched on privacy, trust, and the rule of law. A former law enforcement officer from Rocky River — Michael Bernhardt — admitted to repeatedly accessing sensitive police databases without lawful reason. Over a span of about 10 years, Bernhardt ran unauthorized searches of Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG) and other law enforcement databases — in some cases on hundreds of people, including students, educators, colleagues, and his own family members. These searches weren’t connected to legitimate investigations; instead, they were linked to inappropriate personal interests and relationships.
The GoVia team — with backgrounds spanning community, law enforcement, technology, mental health, and legal systems — we unpack what happened and how robust legal and community advocacy can help real people whose lives are disrupted by misconduct.
Why This Matters: Privacy, Power, and Public Trust
Police Advisor & Law Enforcement Training Specialist:
Police officers are entrusted with access to powerful tools — including criminal and administrative databases — to solve crimes and protect the public. These systems contain highly sensitive personal information like addresses, birthdates, and vehicle registrations. But when that access is used without legitimate purpose, it violates civil rights and erodes public trust.
Mental-Health Systems Expert:
Misuse like this often isn’t just “curiosity.” It can be rooted in unaddressed personal issues — including boundary violations and inappropriate relationships — that should have been identified and addressed long before criminal conduct occurred. Early intervention and wellness checks should be part of every officer’s career, not only for their own health but to protect the community.
What Happened in the Case
Data Scientist & Policy Analyst:
Bernhardt accessed OHLEG and other law enforcement systems more than 70 times from 2013 to 2023 without any legitimate law-enforcement purpose, according to a formal indictment and court records. (Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office)
These searches included:
- Rocky River students and their family members
- Other law enforcement officers and colleagues
- School teachers and administrators
- His own family members and ex-spouses (News 5 Cleveland WEWS)
Criminal Defense & Police Counsel:
He ultimately pleaded guilty to three counts of unauthorized use of the database, which in Ohio is a fifth-degree felony. He was sentenced to six months in prison — but then received judicial release after serving less than a month, followed by community control, work requirements, and restrictions on contact with victims. (https://www.cleveland19.com)
How Attorneys Help People Caught in the System
When someone is arrested or wrongly jailed — whether it’s the officer himself or a person whose rights were violated — effective legal advocacy makes all the difference:
Criminal Defense Lawyers:
- Ensure that due process rights are upheld at every stage
- Negotiate plea options when appropriate
- Advocate for proportional sentencing and rehabilitation, not just punishment
Civil Rights Attorneys:
For community members whose data was misused, lawyers can:
- File civil suits to protect privacy interests
- Work under Ohio law to seek damages for unlawful searches
- Hold agencies accountable for supervision and training failures
Public Defenders & Jail Advocates:
When people are detained — even wrongly — well-resourced attorneys help:
- Navigate bail, release options, and pretrial motions
- Challenge unlawful detention
- Provide early intervention services where appropriate
Better Systems = Safer Community
Our GoVia team sees this story not just as an isolated case, but as a call to action:
Training Reform:
Officers need stronger ongoing ethics, boundaries, and technology-use training.
Database Auditing & Tech Safeguards:
Real-time auditing and alerts would flag unauthorized searches as they occur — protecting public privacy and deterring misconduct.
Mental-Health Support:
Routine check-ins, counseling resources, and early warning systems can help prevent boundary issues before they become felonies.
Transparent Community Relations:
Building trust requires openness when misconduct happens, and clear steps to remedy harm and prevent recurrence.
A Hero Highlight
While this incident was disturbing, the real heroes in our justice ecosystem are the attorneys who ensure due process, the advocates who protect victims’ rights, and the community members who demand accountability.
At GoVia, we believe that technology, law, and community oversight can work together to build police systems that protect privacy, uphold justice, and maintain trust — and that no one should serve time without dedicated legal help to navigate the complexities of our justice system.
