A University of Colorado police officer accused of stalking a Boulder campus dispatcher pleaded guilty to first-degree official misconduct on Monday, a conviction that will prevent him from remaining a police officer in Colorado.

Sgt. Michael Dodson, 60, was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 100 hours of community service as part of the deal, according to Catherine Olguin, spokeswoman for the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.

Dodson had been scheduled to stand trial next month on one count of felony stalking, but that charge was dismissed as part of the plea deal and his trial was canceled.

Interim CU police Chief Paula Balafas released a statement saying the department was still reviewing the matter.

“The CU Boulder Police Department strives for the highest principles of our profession and we hold each other accountable to those expectations,” Balafas said in the statement. “We also strive to maintain the confidence and trust of the community we serve. We are glad that the legal process has been completed.

“Mr. Dodson has been on unpaid leave since July 11, 2017. We are reviewing today’s court development and how that will impact his future status with CUPD. At this point, the internal investigation is ongoing.”

First-degree official misconduct is among the misdemeanors that lead to the revocation of Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, meaning Dodson will not be able to remain a police officer in Colorado.

According to an arrest affidavit, the victim in the case began working as a dispatcher at the beginning of 2017 and said Dodson initially told her he wanted to help mentor her on the job. But the woman, who is married, said Dodson, also married, soon began telling her he was attracted to her, that he felt “vibes” between them and that his “soul was drawn” to her.

Dodson began communicating with the woman by email and text, created a “secret handshake” as an excuse to touch her and commented on her looks, according to the affidavit. He also on several occasions hugged her, kissed her on the head or gave her massages, according to the affidavit.

In February 2017, the woman said Dodson increased the amount of email he sent her and also texted her throughout her shift. He also told her that he was conducting patrols near her apartment to ensure she was safe.

The dispatcher told investigators Dodson began talking about meeting outside of work and also began talking about sexual topics.

At one point, the woman tried to tell Dodson she was uncomfortable with their level of contact, according to the affidavit, but Dodson began to cry and said he needed to be in contact with her.

The woman reported the situation to her supervisor on March 5, 2017. Dodson was arrested three months later.

In his interview with police, Dodson said he was trying to mentor her and that he never wanted a romantic relationship.

Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, byarsm@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/mitchellbyars