A San Jose police officer was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges that he sexually touched an 18-year-old woman while he was on duty.
Julio C. Morales, a 41-year-old patrol officer, was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and false imprisonment — both felonies, according to police.
"In a police department of 1,400 officers, allegations are not uncommon,'' said Lt. Mark McIninch, head of the department's sex assault unit. "It's very important to the department and the people of San Jose that they know when an allegation is made it will be competently and completely investigated. We expect people to have that confidence in us.''
A warrant for Morales' arrest went out Tuesday, police said, and Morales surrendered to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. He was released after posting a $20,000 bond.
Police said Morales inappropriately touched the woman during a pat-down search Dec. 3 after detaining her near Third and Keyes streets.
They did not know each other. The officer then drove her in his patrol car to another location, where he left her.
Later that day, a man called the police department to say his niece had told him of the incident.
The officer, a 13-year veteran and former member of the police department's elite SWAT team, was later placed on administrative leave.
Police have no evidence Morales has done this before, but they are asking anyone who has information about any inappropriate behavior by the officer during his contacts with the public to call investigators at (408) 277-4102.
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