Police investigate assault complaint against officer

POCATELLO, Idaho – Police in this eastern Idaho city are investigating a report from a woman who said a police officer sexually assaulted her in her home last week.

The officer hasn’t been identified. He was suspended and his badge, weapon and identification card taken as the allegation is investigated.

“We were able to verify contact did occur and the officer was at the residence,” Police Chief Ed Guthrie said at a Friday news conference also attended by Pocatello Mayor Roger Chase to underscore the seriousness of the matter.

The accuser says the attack occurred Thursday evening. The officer had been sent to the woman’s home in the past, but had no official business there Thursday, Guthrie said. The nature of the previous visits was not disclosed.

According to a statement from the Pocatello Police Department, the investigation will be conducted on two fronts, with an administrative probe done to determine if any department rules were broken, and a criminal investigation to determine if the officer broke the law.