Officer under investigation

VANCOUVER, Wash. – A city police lieutenant has been placed on paid administrative leave while department authorities conduct an internal investigation into allegations that he made inappropriate sexual advances toward female colleagues.

Lt. Howard C. Anderson is accused of repeatedly telling an officer and a civilian employee that he wanted to have sex with them during a training session in Arizona, according to a report by a Phoenix Police Department detective.

Anderson, who had allegedly been drinking alcohol, is also accused of attempting to push his way into the officer’s room later that night, according to the report.

Vancouver police Chief Brian Martinek said his department is “looking into every corner for information” and investigating the accusations “directly, openly, honestly and in a timely manner.”

“It’s not a done deal; we have not made a decision about whether the accusations are true,” Martinek told the Oregonian newspaper. “On the other hand, if the behavior is proven to be true, it’s something that I will not tolerate, our department will not tolerate.”

Anderson, who was placed on paid leave Feb. 20, shortly after the allegations were made, declined to comment on the Phoenix police report or the Vancouver investigation when contacted by the Oregonian.