Chesterfield officer accused of illegally tracking someone he knew

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Chesterfield County police officer is accused of illegally tracking the movements of someone he knows personally.

In July, the Chesterfield County Police Department (CCPD) received a complaint alleging that one of its officers put an electronic tracking device on a vehicle.

Specifically, the officer -- identified as 36-year-old Alan W. Ross -- is accused of privately purchasing such a device and placing it on the vehicle of "an individual known to [him] in a personal capacity," per a statement released by CCPD on Friday, Oct. 10.

Ross was placed on administrative leave while a criminal investigation was carried out.

Following that investigation, on Friday, Ross was arrested for misdemeanor unauthorized use of an electronic tracking device.

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Per Virginia law, this charge applies when a tracking device is placed using "intentionally deceptive means" or "without consent." Notably, law enforcement officers are exempt from this code section when they are in "lawful performance of official duties."

Ross was initially taken to Chesterfield County Jail, but he has since been released on bond.

He was placed on administrative leave without pay "until completion of an administrative investigation," CCPD said.