Cape Police Officer Resigns After Misconduct Allegations: Report

FALMOUTH, MA — A Falmouth police officer has resigned after a months-long investigation revealed several allegations of sexual misconduct, according to police. Officer Clifford Harris has stepped down following seven allegations of misconduct over a 17-year period, the Cape Cod Times reported.

An Internal Affairs report from Falmouth police said that in four of the allegations, Harris' behavior was "unbecoming of an officer" and in violation of the department's code of ethics. Most of these allegations included inappropriate touching or behavior towards the wives or fiances of other police officers, according to the report.

According to the report, the incident that sparked the investigation happened on a boat cruise in August when a woman told police Harris came up from behind, put his hands between her legs and touched her vagina. The woman did not want to press criminal charges, but thought "some action needed to be taken."

"I feel that, I don't know, police officers are held to a higher standard first of all," the woman said in the report "And if I'm hanging out with a bunch of police officers, I think I should feel safe."

Harris told the Cape Cod Times there was "two sides" to the story, and the investigation didn't allow him to fully explain his side. Police Chief Edward Dunne said the allegations are dissappointing, but said the department acted as soon as the information became available and hopes to move past this incident.