BOSTON -- A Boston police officer is under investigation for allegations of inappropriate conduct with a recruit and the department's second highest ranking officer is also under fire and has been forced to temporarily step aside.
Sources said that drill instructor Paul Downey, 41, may have had an affair with a recruit while he worked at the Boston Police Academy in Hyde Park.
Robert Dunford who had been on the force for 39 years is being scrutinized for trying to protect his friend's job.
"We are investigating an allegation that he [Dunford] had something to do with a transfer that was happening, and that transfer involved the officer who was accused of the inappropriate relationship," said Edward Davis, the commissioner for the Boston Police Department.
The allegation is that Dunford tried to interfere with Downey's transfer.
"What we are concerned about is a balance of power, and that will be part of any new kind policy that we put in place," Davis said.
Dunford refused to speak with 7News, but said, "I did nothing wrong. In the best interest of the department, it's best I leave until the investigation is complete."
Dunford acknowledged some e-mails between he and Downey that were inappropriate about women and he takes full responsibility for those.
He claims he was the one who transferred the 41-year-old drill instructor who was moved out of the Academy and into a District when the alleged affair with a recruit came to light.
Several other high ranking police personnel are under investigation for actions they took relating to Downey and the recruit.
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