A former Fullerton Police Department school resource officer has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping up the skirt of a 16-year-old high school student.

The Fullerton Police Department initiated an internal investigation into accusations that Officer Jose Anthony Paez was acting inappropriately while on duty. The investigation spanned the last five years of the officer’s on-duty interaction with the public.

The internal investigation revealed several photos and video clips taken on Paez’ personal cell phone in November 2017 that were shot up the skirt of a 16-year-old high school student while Paez was conducting a police investigation on school grounds.

Paez stopped working for the Fullerton Police Department in May 2019. The Fullerton Police Department referred the case to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

Paez is scheduled to be arraigned on October 2, 2019 at the North Justice Center in Fullerton.  He faces a maximum of one year in the Orange County Jail if convicted. Deputy District Attorney Laila Nikaien is prosecuting the case.

Fullerton Police Chief Bob Dunn said “We fully support the decision by our District Attorney in filing charges in this case. All Fullerton Police Department employees understand the high expectations of the profession of policing and support accountability when those expectations are not met. We remain committed to continuing our mission of building trust in our community.”