Fresno police investigate officer

A Fresno police officer is on administrative leave while he is investigated by the department, Chief Jerry Dyer said today.

Dyer would not comment on the nature of the charges against Mark Alan Moran, a 16-year-veteran of the department. Moran was fired after he was charged with sexual battery against a woman in 1999. He was reinstated by the department after being found not guilty of the charges in November 2000.

Police spokesman Jeff Cardinale did not say whether Moran is being paid during the leave and said would not comment on whether the new investigation involves allegations similar to those made 10 years ago.

In that case, a woman alleged Moran touched her breast and kissed her on the neck after he arrived at her apartment to investigate vandalism. Moran denied the allegation and said he patted the woman on the head to comfort her and shook her hand when he left.