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Police officer in trouble for sex while in uniform

Port Richey's chief says he has DNA evidence and will pursue disciplinary action against the officer.

By PHIL DAVIS
Published March 16, 2005

PORT RICHEY - The woman knew the police would never believe one of their own forced himself on her while in uniform, so she captured the officer's bodily fluids on her underwear, circled and dated the evidence and sealed it in a Ziploc bag.

"Before he had zippered himself up, I made sure that I got evidence," the 34-year-old woman told Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators.

Port Richey police Chief Bill Sager said DNA analysis linked the semen to 31-year-old Officer Patrick J. Alu Jr.

Alu, who has served on the force since 1999, admitted to investigators he had a sexual encounter with the woman while in uniform last July, but that he was off-duty and the act was consensual.

The State Attorney's Office says there isn't enough evidence to prosecute.

But Sager said even if there is no criminal case, Alu's admission of sex in uniform is evidence enough of misconduct. On Monday, the chief initiated disciplinary action against Alu for conduct unbecoming an officer. The infraction carries penalties ranging from suspension to firing.

"I can understand why she thought he was on duty," Sager said Tuesday. "The real damage is to the public trust. It's a bad reflection on the department."

According to an FDLE report, the woman frequently calls the department to complain about her ex-husband.

She told FDLE investigators that Alu made amorous advances toward her and exposed himself to her twice while on calls to her Port Richey house. But the investigation focused on the incident involving the panties.

In mid July 2004, the woman called police to report a threatening phone call. Alu responded and filed an information report.

After that, what happened remains in dispute.

The woman told investigators that Alu forced her against a wall, took her hand and masturbated into a white handkerchief. She was afraid to protest.

"For my own protection I had to think really, really fast because I said he's not going to get away with this," she said in a statement. She captured Alu's bodily fluids on her black panties.

Alu cooperated with investigators. He confirmed a passionate encounter with the woman on the July night, but said that he had returned to her home after his shift ended. He said he had repeatedly rebuffed prior advances from the woman.

The State Attorney's Office found no clear case.

"At the present time, there is not sufficient evidence to prosecute Officer Alu," Assistant State Attorney Michael Halkitis told the Times on Tuesday.

Alu faced another sex-on-the-job allegation in 2000. A woman complained to the department that Alu received oral sex while on duty, but the complaint came in third-hand and the woman alleged to have performed the act denied it, Sager said. The case was closed as unfounded.

Alu could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. A man who answered the phone at his home and declined to identify himself said Alu "already told me he's not going to talk about it."

Phil Davis can reached in west Pasco at 869-6247 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6247. His e-mail address is pdavis@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 16, 2005, 01:32:17]