Auburn officer terminated after being arrested for immoral communication with a minor

An officer with the Auburn Police Department was terminated Thursday.

The 42-year-old officer was arrested for felony immoral communication with a minor before his termination, according to the Auburn Police Department (APD).

APD noted the decision to terminate the officer was based on off-duty conduct that was investigated internally through the department.

Auburn officer arrested in May

The officer was taken into custody around 6:30 a.m. on May 15 and was booked into the Pierce County Jail.

The investigation started when detectives with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit were conducting “proactive online work,” according to PCSO Deputy Carly Cappetto.

“This particular suspect had reached out to one of the detectives, and within that time frame, there was probable cause established for his arrest,” Cappetto said. “When we get predators that essentially bite on these, that’s on them.”

APD said the officer was immediately placed on administrative leave pending formal charges.

“The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and do not reflect the values, professionalism, or integrity of the Auburn Police Department,” Auburn Police Chief Mark Caillier said in a statement. “This officer has broken that trust, and this incident will be handled as promptly as possible while ensuring due process.”

The officer was arrested at the police station as law enforcement felt that would be the safest place.

“We felt that arresting him at that location would be the safest location for the public in the community — not arresting him in a vehicle, not arresting him in a home, nowhere where there would be places to either flee or barricade,” Cappetto explained.

More charges could follow

The officer has yet to be formally charged, but Cappetto noted additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

“Any sort of predator-type behavior — we will find you, and we will make those arrests,” she said. “We want our children to be safe, and if we have to arrest our own, then that’s where we’re at.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest; Aaron Granillo, KIRO Newsradio

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest