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The Colorado Springs Police Department arrested 30-year-old Officer Josh Carrier for being in possession of child pornography, a class 4 felony.

CSPD Sgt. Steve Noblitt says the arrest comes as a shock to the department.

"This is extremely disheartening for the department, but as long as the police department has humans working for them there is the potential for a situation like this," Noblitt said.

On March 28, 2011 the CSPD Internet Crimes Against Children Unit learned that Carrier may have made purchases from a child pornography website. Investigators say the information was brought to them by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations as a result of one of their investigations.

ICAC, in conjunction with the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office, opened the case.

CSPD says Carrier’s role as a police officer has placed him in several assignments where he has had influence over youths in our community. Those roles include his assignment as a School Resource Officer at Horace Mann Middle School, a coach for the Police Athletic League, and an advisor to youth in the CSPD Explorer program.

Carrier has been with the police department for seven years. Carrier was assigned to the Patrol Bureau and worked out of the Sand Creek Division.

District 11 officials say they are shocked and disappointed by the news and they are working on a plan to inform parents and students about the case.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and they encourage anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to call Detectives in the CSPD ICAC unit at 719-444-7708