Two UK police officers suspended over sexually charged texts they sent to 16-year-old girl

Two Connecticut police officers have been suspended without pay after allegedly sending sexually charged texts to a 16-year-old girl.
A 43-year-old officer was suspended for one month, and a 28-year-old officer was suspended for 10 days after being charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer last month.
The charges came after the teenage girl reported she had been sexually involved with the older officer, Robert Macari, who has been with Stamford Police for 11 years.

Suspended: Officer Robert Macari, who works in the K9 department, allegedly sent improper texts to a girl

Although there was no evidence that Officer Macari had sex with the girl, an examination of a cellphone showed he and Officer William Garay, who won the Distinguished Officer Award last year,  had sent improper, sexual and 'immoral' texts to the girl, according to the Stamford Advocate.
'The Stamford police department holds each of its members to a higher standard of conduct both on and off duty,' Police Chief Jon Fontneau said.
'This investigation has shown that the actions of both officers have led to a breakdown in public trust, which is critical to our profession.'

The identity of the girl, who is now 17, has not been revealed to protect her identity.
After making her claims, Police Chief Fontneau said she later retracted her statement and said she did not want to be involved in the investigation, or for anything to be done to the officers.
Officer Macari, who works on the force's K9 department with his dog partner Cleo, denied having a sexual relationship with the teenager.

Investigation: William Garay, center, who won a Distinguished Officer Award, was also suspended

Although the age of consent is 16 in Connecticut, it is an offense for a person over 20, who is in a position of authority or supervision, to have sex with someone under 18.
'If it did happen, and I can’t say that it did, it was consensual and there was no law broken,' Police Chief Fontneau told CBS Local.
'I was repulsed at their behavior and it is not reflective of the police department as a whole.'
Attempts by the news network to contact the officers was unsuccessful.
The officers were suspended on May 16, according to Greenwich Time.
After an investigation it was decided there was no cause for the officers to be arrested.

Read more:

• Texts to girl lead to cop suspensions
• Stamford Officers Suspended After Texting 16-Year-Old
• Two Stamford police officers suspended