BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A Birmingham police officer was arrested Monday on drug charges, a department spokesman said.

Kenneth Padgett, 28, of Birmingham, was arrested at 9 p.m. Monday and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of controlled substance, Lt. Sean Edwards said.

Investigators received information about Padgett's alleged involvement in illegal narcotic activity. An internal investigation was launched, and detectives validated the information, Edwards said.

Kenneth Padgett

Both a criminal investigation and an internal investigation are underway.

"Most of our officers work hard every day and are committed to serving the citizens of this great city," Edwards said. "Unfortunately, there are some from time to time that make decisions that totally go against what we stand for as an organization. Chief Roper, for the past six years has personally taught every new academy recruit class on the subject of Ethics. This is a testament to how serious Chief Roper is about officers doing the right thing. Bottom-line, this type of behavior will not be tolerated."