ROCKFORD — A former Rock Valley College Police officer has been arrested for allegedly falsifying documents regarding military leave.

According to published reports, Vincent Lara is accused of taking paid leave from RVC  on days he claimed he was taking part in military drills.

After an internal investigation, the Rock Valley Police Department asked the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department to look into paperwork Lara had been filling out regarding the days he took off. The investigation revealed there were no military drills on those days. Documents were falsified from 2013 to 2017, authorities allege.

Lara resigned from RVC during the internal probe. He now works as a part-time officer with the Village of Winnebago Police. He’s currently on administrative leave. Lara was arrested Wednesday and posted bond. He’s charged with felony theft and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Feb. 1. R.