Ripon Police Officer Resigns After Gang-Member Boyfriend Accused Of Assault

RIPON (CBS13) — A Ripon Police officer has abruptly resigned after being placed on leave for not reporting a crime involving her gang member boyfriend.

Modesto Police say the former Ripon officer let her gang member boyfriend, Michael O'Neill, Jr., assault someone while she watched.

They allege Morris and O'Neill were in her Jeep last October when O'Neill, a known gang member, got out and punched a man in the face. They say he then chased the victim down several streets at a high rate of speed, all while Morris was still in the car.

She was placed on administrative leave for failing to report the crime and being involved with a known gang member.

CBS13 spoke to Morris in June after she and a fellow officer saved two dogs from drowning in a canal.

Neighbors say they haven't seen her at the Ripon home she shared with her ex-husband since the incident. They say she told them she was getting a divorce and leaving the department.

Morris isn't facing any charges currently, but Ripon Police are conducting an internal investigation.

O'Neill will be back in court in February.