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A UW-Madison Police Department captain took thousands of photos and videos of unsuspecting women over more than six years before he was fired in March, according to an internal investigation, and could face criminal charges.

Capt. Peter Ystenes, a 17-year veteran of the department and head of its detectives unit before he was fired March 12, also used a work laptop to download and view pornography, UW Police Chief Sue Riseling said.

According to a termination letter obtained by the State Journal on Tuesday, Ystenes used department cameras to take pictures of co-workers from under tables, and of women walking on the sidewalk outside his office.

In other instances, Ystenes (IST-ness) followed and photographed women in stores with a department-issued cellphone, the investigation found.

“All of these were without the apparent knowledge of those who were photographed or recorded,” Riseling said.

Investigators are now working with women Ystenes is accused of photographing to let them know about the pictures, and find out if they want to pursue criminal charges, UW police spokesman Marc Lovicott said Tuesday.