A Secaucus police officer’s seemingly routine patrol shifts masked a disturbing pattern of misconduct, culminating in a lengthy suspension and a hefty fine, according to an internal affairs report obtained by the Secaucus Scoop. Officer Kiril Petrov, a member of the Secaucus Police Department, now faces the consequences of a double life – one where he allegedly fudged his timecards and, even more alarmingly, used his position to track and a woman he was dating.
The first crack in Petrov’s facade appeared on November 14, 2023. It wasn’t a major crime, but a seemingly minor infraction: a falsified overtime slip. Petrov, the report states, submitted paperwork for an “Extra Duty Job” that misrepresented his hours, pocketing an extra 1.5 hours of pay he didn’t actually work. He faced a 30-day monetary fine.
Just days later, a far more unsettling picture emerged. On November 20, 2023, while on duty, Petrov allegedly transformed from a public servant into a digital stalker. According to the internal affairs summary, he used a personal cell phone app to secretly monitor the movements of a woman he was dating. The method? A GPS tracking device surreptitiously placed on her vehicle, without her knowledge or consent.
The report reveals that Petrov checked the woman’s location “at least five times” while on duty, raising serious questions about his focus on his sworn responsibilities. But the surveillance didn’t end when his shift did.
On November 21, 2023, now off-duty, Petrov allegedly used the GPS data to locate the woman in North Bergen. He then conducted “covert surveillance” for about 90 minutes, the report states, before following a male associate of the woman. This pursuit escalated into a “high rates of speed” chase, ending in a confrontation in Bergen County.
The Secaucus Police Department handed down a 210-day suspension, a significant penalty.
The revelations raise serious concerns about abuse of power and privacy violations posed by an officer. While the Secaucus PD’s internal affairs report offers a glimpse into this officer’s alleged actions, questions remain. What safeguards are in place to prevent officers from misusing technology and abusing their authority?