On-duty cop sexually assaults woman at motel, is arrested at work, Virginia police say

A Virginia police officer is facing accusations of sexual assault while he was working, according to investigators.

Officer Herman Martin, 44, was arrested at the Norfolk Police Department’s Operations Center late Wednesday, Oct. 9, police officials said a news release.

That’s the same day the assault is reported to have happened.

“A woman reported to police that she had been sexually assaulted at 853 N. Military Highway by an officer while he was working in a police capacity,” officials said.

That address is a Motel 6 about 2 miles east of the operations center, maps show.

Investigators did not reveal why Martin was allegedly at the motel while on duty or how he came into contact with the woman.

He was transferred to an administrative job “pending the outcome of this investigation,” officials said.

“As a department, we join our community in feeling deeply disappointed by these allegations,” Police Chief Mark Talbot said in the news release.

“I will always ensure that when an officer is found to have behaved in a manner that contradicts the organization’s values, it is dealt with swiftly.”

This story was originally published October 10, 2024 at 11:25 AM with the headline "On-duty cop sexually assaults woman at motel, is arrested at work, Virginia police say."