Baltimore city police officer accused of sexual misconduct

BALTIMORE - Baltimore City's new police commissioner was just sworn in last week, and he's already dealing with the first officer misconduct charge of his tenure.

The officer worked out of the Northwestern District on Reisterstown Road.  Police have identified him as Elliott Simon.  He's 39 years old, and has been with the department for 13 years.

And now -- he's facing possible criminal charges in connection with an incident involving a young woman.

 “Over the weekend, detectives from the Baltimore Police Special Investigations Section received a complaint of alleged sexual misconduct between an 18-year-old female and an on-duty Baltimore police department officer,” Commissioner Anthony Batts said.

A police spokesman said the department is releasing Elliott Simon's name because he's being investigated for what would be a felony.

He's also been suspended without pay.

The woman's age -- 18 -- indicates that the charge would not be statutory rape.  Commissioner Batts used the term "sexual misconduct."

That, along with his statement that the alleged crime occurred while Ofc. Simon was on-duty could indicate that the 18-year-old had been detained by Ofc. Simon when some kind of sex act occurred, but police would not confirm that.

“I have no tolerance for misconduct or officers that violate the public trust,” Batts said.

The Baltimore City State's Attorney’s office has already begun to look into the case to decide whether criminal charges should be filed.