New Mexico police force fires officer caught on camera having sex on the hood of his car in uniform

Despite being on duty and in uniform, the police officer caught on film having sex on the hood of a car will not face any criminal charges

A New Mexico state police officer has been fired after security cameras caught him having sex with a woman on the hood of a car.

The bizarre scene, which was witnessed by a nearby chihuahua, was filmed by a hidden camera set up by Santa Fe New Mexico police to catch vandalism at a nearby property.

Instead, it recorded uniformed officer Bert Lopez with an unidentified woman.

According to The Santa Fe New Mexican, Lopez has 30 days to appeal his dismissal.

The surveillance photos were taken from a motion-triggered security camera positioned at the front gate of the county-owned La Bajada Ranch south of Santa Fe. The encounter was at the remote Canyon Ranch.

Two photos showing a uniformed officer having sex on the hood were forwarded to Santa Fe Sheriff Robert Garcia, who identified the officer as being with New Mexico State Police. He forwarded the images to State Police Chief Robert Shilling.

An internal investigation was immediately launched, and Lopez, an eight-year veteran, was put on paid administrative leave for about three weeks.

Police officials would not comment on whether the dismissal was an indication whether the officer was on duty at the time of the incident.

The dismissal came days after investigators said the officer didn't commit a crime. Officials were assured the sexual encounter was not in exchange for anything related to his position as a law enforcement officer.

'It is an embarrassing situation for the department, but we have to remember the rights of the employee afford him due process we must follow so we won't be commenting further,' said spokesman Sgt Tim Johnson.

The department refused to release the identity of the woman or details about her relationship with the officer. It was unclear when the photos were taken, but Garcia said he believed it was either late July or early August.

If Lopez contests his firing, the appeal goes to a special commission within the New Mexico state police department and then state District Court, according to the New Mexican.

Lopez was named a 2009 state police office of the year and was awarded a 'Challenge Coin' in July, an honour given to officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The department refused to release the identity of the woman or details about her relationship with the officer. It was unclear when the photos were taken, but Garcia said he believed it was either late July or early August.

If Lopez contests his firing, the appeal goes to a special commission within the New Mexico state police department and then state District Court, according to the New Mexican.

Lopez was named a 2009 state police office of the year and was awarded a 'Challenge Coin' in July, an honour given to officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.