Memphis Police Officer Charged with Sexual Battery

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Memphis police officer has been charged with sexual battery after making sexual contact with a woman he pulled over in a traffic stop.

On August 1st, Officer Michael Kearney initiated a traffic stop in the area of Thomas and Weakley. After stopping the driver a 42-year-old woman, Officer Kearney placed her in the back of the squad car while he wrote her a Misdemeanor Citation for Driving While License Suspended/ Revoked/ Cancelled.

According to police, Kearney made sexual contact with the victim while she was inside the rear of the squad car. Kearney also solicited the victim for sex, after his tour of duty.

The investigation was launched after the incident and Kearney was relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome.

Friday, Officer Kearney was arrested and charged with Sexual Battery and Official Misconduct.

Michael Kearney has been employed with the Memphis Police Department since 2008.

This investigation is still ongoing.