A Washington state sheriff's office said a sergeant is on paid administrative leave while allegations of having sex in his patrol car are investigated.

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The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said the 45-year-old sergeant, a 20-year veteran, was on duty Sept. 19 when dispatchers reported hearing a 10-second radio transmission of a woman moaning, The Seattle Times reported Monday.

Sheriff's office spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said an internal investigation is under way into allegations the sergeant "engaged in an inappropriate romantic relationship while on duty."

Hover said the investigation is into alleged misconduct, not a criminal probe. She said the investigation is expected to be completed in two to three weeks.

"It's never OK to have sex while on duty when you're a cop," said Sue Quinn, past president of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. She said such an action constitutes a "betrayal and abuse of power" by authorities.