Officer Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Woman While On Duty

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer was recommended for termination after a woman told police he sexually assaulted her while on duty, police said.

IMPD Patrol Officer Anthony S. Smith, 36, was suspended without pay Monday morning, Chief Michael Spears said in a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

A woman came forward on Aug. 15, telling police Smith had assaulted her while he was on duty.

Spears would not comment on those allegations, but said that Smith had violated several police department procedures, including IMPD's ride-along policy.

"He did not devote his full attention to duty. I believe he was in violation of many other of our policies … and those, combined with the other allegations, which will be forthcoming, were enough information for me Sunday night to make the decision to immediately separate him from employment," he said.

Spears said a criminal investigation into the sexual assault allegations was under way.

Smith worked nights with the Northeast District, a post he was assigned to in April of 2007, police said.

The arrests of several officers this year on charges ranging from running a prostitution ring to selling firearms to felons, drunken driving and drug trafficking have damaged the department.

Mayor Greg Ballard said Spears took the appropriate action in dismissing Smith.

"We give him the latitude to do what he thinks is the right thing to do with the cops," Ballard said. "They're seeing it. If they get out of line -- we don't want a witch hunt -- but if they're doing the wrong thing, they're going to pay the price."

Results of IMPD's criminal investigation are expected to be given to the Marion County prosecutor later this week.