MPD officer relieved of duty, accused of sexual assault

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A Memphis police officer is relieved of duty after a woman said she was sexually assaulted outside of a nightclub on Saturday.

The victim told police she was leaving the Purple Haze night club when she encountered the officer. She said the officer made inappropriate sexual contact with her.

Although the Purple Haze night club was closed on Monday evening, general manager Charlie Barnett was there anyway. He said he was there to dub some security footage requested by the Memphis police officer's attorney.

It is security footage that may have captured part of the alleged sexual assault that a Memphis police office is being accused of by a 26-year-old woman.

"We have part of it on video out front," Barnett said. "We have security cameras in front of our club, for security reasons. And we have some of it on video."

The woman reported that an on-duty officer violated her early Saturday morning after she left the club. It is still unclear how the two encountered each other.

"The victim advised that there was inappropriate sexual contact made by the officer," an MPD spokesperson said in a statement.

We are told some of the surveillance shows the woman getting into the officer's car.

Visitors on Beale Street were disappointed another officer is under investigation.

"I mean, those are the people who are protecting our streets who's being accused of sexually assaulting someone," Bridgett Bilda said.

"And they're sworn to be a higher standard," John Harrell said. "Our safety is their concern."

Barnett said his only concern is what happens inside the club.

"After that, what happens is none of our business," Barnett said.

No charges have been filed at this point. The officer is relieved of duty pending an investigation.

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