KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Veteran Fresno Officer Investigated

Veteran Fresno Officer Investigated

By Clint Olivier

FRESNO - A Fresno police officer has been taken off the streets and put under investigation by the department according to Chief Jerry Dyer.

The chief issued the following statement regarding 16-year veteran officer Mark Moran:

"I am unable to comment on the on-going investigation other than to say one has been initiated by the Fresno Police Department within the last two weeks. Officer Moran has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation."

Sources tell KMPH news that there are two complaints pending against Moran.

Sources say Internal Affairs is investigating his conduct, and that the allegations are similar to the charges Moran was on trial for in the year 2000.

"The inappropriate behavior of your client is what I remember," the witness said.

In this video from Moran's trial, his accuser tells jurors he acted inappropriately; kissed her neck and touched her breasts the day after Moran was dispatched to her home on a domestic violence call.

A dramatic moment came when Moran and his lawyer re-enacted his side of the story.

"I looked at her and I said, I want you to listen to me and listen to me good, if you hear nothing else that I say to you today, hear this," Moran said in court.

It took the jury about an hour to find Moran not guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery.

"When it involves an officer such as officer Moran, against whom charges have been made in the past, I'm sure everyone wants to walk very carefully," Mugridge said.

Defense attorney and criminal law specialist David Mugridge says it would be up to Chief Dyer to ask the D.A.'s office to file charges if the investigation turns up evidence that he broke the law.

Mugridge says in the meantime, the chief is doing the right thing by waiting for its completion.

"Until such time as some information comes forward from the investigation to presume his officer is not guilty of any charges or accusations," Mugridge said.

In 1999 Moran was fired by the Fresno Police Department, but eventually he got his job back.