A veteran Birmingham police officer is charged with first-degree rape involving years of alleged sexual abuse of a teen relative.

The Morris Police Department on Friday issued the warrant against Lt. Pete Williston. Birmingham police officials on Saturday announced that Williston was placed on leave.

The department's press release said they learned on Wednesday, June 13, that there were allegations against the 48-year-old officer. They did not say what those allegations are and, as a policy, won't disclose charges against officers if the charges are obtained by another law enforcement agency.

Morris Police Chief Mike Nazarchyk said Saturday afternoon that a female reported to the department on May 31 that she had been sexually abused by Williston from 2008 through 2011 when she was 14 years old. "After a thorough investigation, our findings were turned over to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office,'' Nazarchyk said in a prepared statement.

The chief said Birmingham Police was notified of the charges, and assured he will be in custody. Authorities have not said publicly why Williston hasn't been arrested.

Before being placed on leave, Williston was serving as the interim commander of the city's East Precinct following the promotion of Allen Treadway to assistant chief. Prior to that, Williston served as the department's public information officer.

Efforts to reach Williston for comment were unsuccessful.