Nguyen is a patrol officer for the police department who also serves as the department's sketch artist, occasionally working in that capacity for neighboring police departments.

"We are very disappointed and sad when an allegation is made against a police officer," Mountain View Police Chief Scott Vermeer told the Voice. "Especially allegations of this nature."

San Jose officers arrived at the Mountain View Police Department Tuesday and took Nguyen into custody. He was booked into the San Jose Main Jail on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, according to San Jose police.

The San Jose Police Department had a search warrant to investigate the home of the 36-year-old Mountain View police officer for child pornography. In their investigation Tuesday afternoon, May 13, officers located items in Nguyen's home determined to be child pornography, including content on his computer, according to Sgt. Heather Randol, public information officer for the San Jose police.

Nguyen, who has been with the Mountain View Police Department for seven years, has been placed on paid administrative leave during the the investigation.

Vermeer said he wants to be honest and open with the community about the situation. He said last night he gathered everyone on duty and told them everything he knew about what was going on. He said the police department will be open to the community and the press, and the police website will be updated with any new information.

Randol said the San Jose Police Department will continue the ongoing criminal investigation. She did not know if Nguyen was still in custody.

"We had (Nguyen) stand by until the San Jose police were en-route, and they came and arrested him." Vermeer said.

Vermeer said the charges and subsequent investigation were news to the department, when the San Jose police contacted the Mountain View Police Department and told them they were searching a home of one of its officers.

Nguyen had received local acclaim for putting his background in fine arts to use as a police sketch artist, and was featured on KTVU Channel 2 news in February.

Vermeer said Nguyen will remain on paid administrative leave until the criminal investigation is completed, and will take appropriate disciplinary action or exonerate him depending on the results.

"This is an extremely difficult time not only for our police department family, but also for the Mountain View community and for any innocent parties involved," the letter said.

MV police officer arrested on child porn possession charge

San Jose police say search of home led to arrest of officer Kevin Nguyen, 36