Spokane police officer laid off after rape charge

A Spokane police sergeant has been laid off after being charged with second-degree rape earlier this week.

An internal review panel moved Sgt. Gordon Ennis to unpaid status Friday, where he’ll stay until the criminal case against him is completed.

Ennis had been on paid administrative leave since an investigation was launched following an Oct. 24 party at another officer’s home. A female officer who was also at the party reported that she passed out after having several drinks and awoke in a guest bedroom to find Ennis sitting next to her with his hand down her pants, fondling her.

“This is a very serious charge, and the alleged behavior is something we will not tolerate out of anyone, especially not an officer sworn to uphold and enforce the law,” Mayor David Condon said in a news release.