Police officer arrested following alleged sexual contact with detainee

Phoenix Police officer Timothy Morris was arrested and jailed Friday evening on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping.

According to a press release from the Phoenix Police Department, police received a report from a 23-year-old woman calming sexual misconduct by a police officer.

Police said Morris, 40, detained the woman shortly around 3:30 a.m. in the 5600 block of West Thomas Road regarding a misdemeanor arrest warrant. Police said that while the woman was in Morris’ custody, the two engaged in an act of sexual contact and Morris released the woman without arrest.

Investigators from the department’s Special Investigations Division and Professional Standards Bureau conducted an investigation and arrested Morris at his home in Pinal County. He was booked into the Pinal County jail in Florence pending transfer of the case to Maricopa County.

“The Phoenix Police Department took immediate action when this incident was brought to our attention,” said Phoenix Police Chief Joseph Yahner in a statement. “We responded quickly and decisively to ensure public trust and confidence. We hold our officers accountable to the highest standards. In addition to initiating the criminal investigation, the Phoenix Police Department began an internal investigation to address Officer Morris’s employment status however he resigned. I am extremely disappointed in the actions of Mr. Morris, the Phoenix Police Department will continue to hold its officers to the highest standards to ensure the trust and confidence of the community we serve.”

Morris has been with the department since 2008 and resigned immediately after admitting his involvement in the incident according to police.