Alleged Sex in Patrol Car Led to Officer Firings : Scandal: Sources familiar with the Orange investigation say the woman involved is a security officer at Chapman University.

The three Orange police officers fired from the department this week allegedly had sexual contact in their patrol cars with a woman college security officer while on duty, sources familiar with the investigation said Friday.

The officers, whose names are not being released, allegedly visited the woman at separate times. Two of the officers had oral sex with the woman and the other officer fondled her, sources said.

Orange police officials disclosed earlier this week that the three officers had been fired from the department for sexual misconduct while on duty, but declined to elaborate. Interviews with law enforcement sources gave the first detailed indication of the nature of the allegations.

The woman, who works at Chapman University in Orange, could not be reached for comment. Milton J. Galbraith, new director of campus safety at Chapman and a retired commander in the Orange Police Department, said his agency is cooperating with the Orange police investigation. He said he was unaware of any improprieties by his officer and said she is still on active duty.

“I’m sure I’m going to take a look at what (Orange police officials) conclude and see if there has been any malfeasance with regard to our employee,” Galbraith said. “But until this is resolved, I told her she shouldn’t have contact with the press.”

Orange Police Chief John R. Robertson said the three officers’ actions were not illegal but violated department regulations and showed “very poor judgment.” Department officials said the officers did not harass or threaten any woman.

“There was no force involved,” said Orange Police Lt. Timm Browne. He added that the officers’ actions do not show “a pattern of misconduct that permeates the department. I think it’s the attitude of a few who made a very poor decision.”

Browne said the Police Department, as a matter of policy, will present its case to the district attorney’s office next week to determine if any criminal charges should be filed. The internal affairs investigation began on Aug. 9 and was completed about three weeks later, Browne said.

As a result of the investigation, four other officers face disciplinary measures for actions that do not involve sexual misconduct, but are related to the investigation. One source said alleged abuses by the four other officers involved inappropriate discussions about the investigation before it was completed.

In addition to the college security officer, one of the officers had engaged in publicly inappropriate behavior with another woman, also unidentified, while he was off duty, sources said. The two women apparently did not know each other.

Browne said several people in the department knew the women and were friends with them.

Detective John Whiteley, president of the City of Orange Police Assn., praised the officers who were fired as “extremely talented” law-enforcement officers. “They’re the type of officers you would want helping you if you needed help.”

But, he added, “if the allegations are true, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that these actions were inappropriate.” He said each officer had worked at the department for at least “a couple (of) years.”

The three fired officers, one of whom is married, have hired lawyers to appeal their dismissals. Their attorneys declined comment.

On Friday, news of the terminations and alleged sexual misconduct reverberated throughout the city.

“I think some people made some serious mistakes and errors in judgment,” said Mayor Gene Beyer. “I’m hopeful what a few (officers) do will not stain the whole department.

“I have complete faith in the chief and the Police Department. This is an unfortunate incident,” Beyer added.

Times staff writer Eric Young and correspondent Martin Miller contributed to this report.