Internal Affairs is examining whether an online-bought device was used without a warrant during an HPD investigation.
HOUSTON, Texas — Two Houston Police Department officers were relieved of duty this week while Internal Affairs investigates allegations that an unauthorized tracking device was planted on a suspect’s car without a warrant, according to people familiar with the inquiry. The officers remain on paid status while the review continues.
HPD confirmed the administrative action Friday and said the case has been turned over to Internal Affairs for a full review. A video recorded by the person under investigation reportedly shows someone placing a device on the vehicle, prompting questions about whether department rules and the Fourth Amendment were followed. The officers have not been publicly identified and have not been charged. One is a sergeant with 18 years on the force assigned to the Major Offenders Division; the other is a nine-year officer assigned to the Gang Division. The outcome of the internal probe could determine whether the case is referred for any potential criminal review under Texas law.
According to people briefed on the matter, the incident surfaced after the suspect noticed and recorded what appeared to be a tracker being attached under the vehicle during an ongoing police investigation. Sources said the device was purchased online and was not issued by HPD equipment managers. The department then removed the two officers from duty, requiring them to surrender their badges and identification and cutting off access to police databases while Internal Affairs gathered statements and electronic records. “It’s just like going into their house without a warrant or tapping their phone without a warrant,” defense attorney Joe Vinas said in an interview, explaining standard practice for location tracking in criminal investigations. He said officers typically seek a judge’s approval before placing such a device on a car.
HPD policy allows use of tracking devices in limited circumstances, but only with strict authorization and documentation, according to people familiar with the rules. State law generally makes it a crime for a person to install a tracking device on a vehicle without the owner’s consent, though there is an exception for peace officers acting within a criminal investigation. Whether the conduct here fits that exception is a central question for investigators. The officers remained on paid administrative duty as of Friday. The device at issue was described as a small, commercially available unit designed to report location to a phone app. The video, which has not been released publicly by authorities, is expected to be evaluated alongside purchase records, case notes, and any supervisory approvals.
The Houston case arrives as use of location technology by police and private parties has drawn scrutiny across Texas. Courts have long treated real-time tracking as a serious privacy intrusion that typically requires a warrant. In Harris County, prosecutors in recent years have dismissed or reviewed cases that hinged on surveillance techniques that did not meet legal standards. HPD has faced separate questions in other matters about investigative practices and documentation, adding pressure to ensure procedures are followed. Officials familiar with the department’s rules say any tracker deployed by officers must be logged, approved, and tied to a documented case file. If a device is bought outside the department’s system and not logged, it can trigger immediate administrative action.
Internal Affairs investigators are expected to interview the officers, supervisors in Major Offenders and Gang divisions, and any witnesses connected to the recorded placement of the device. They will also review digital logs, procurement records, and case paperwork to determine whether policy was violated. If investigators find potential criminal violations, the matter could be forwarded for review by prosecutors under the state statute covering unlawful installation of a tracking device, a Class A misdemeanor. No criminal referral had been announced as of Sunday. HPD did not identify the officers, citing the ongoing inquiry and their current administrative status. The suspect who recorded the video has not been named publicly.
Outside the department, civil liberties advocates and defense attorneys say the case underscores the need for clear rules and training as small, inexpensive trackers become common. Some attorneys note that even when state law carves out exceptions for police, courts can still suppress evidence gathered without a warrant if constitutional protections were breached. Former prosecutors said the outcome here could influence how local agencies document and store tracking devices, who signs off, and how supervisors audit compliance. In recent months, Texas lawmakers and courts have continued to address the private use of trackers in domestic disputes and stalking cases, which can also lead to criminal charges under state law.
As of late Sunday, HPD said the two employees remain relieved of duty while the investigation proceeds. Officials have not released the video that reportedly prompted the review. The department has not provided a timeline for findings, but administrative interviews and document reviews are underway this week.
Author note: Last updated November 23, 2025.