The Yamagata Prefectural Police said Monday they have suspended a 49-year-old sergeant for six months and turned over to prosecutors their case alleging he had a sexual relationship with the wife of an arrested man from last December to September.

Following the announcement of the suspension, the sergeant submitted his resignation.

According to the department, the sergeant became involved with the wife of the arrested man while investigating a case and used his position as a police officer to force her into a sexual relationship.

Police allege the sergeant fondled the woman in a room at the Yamagata Police Station and later took her to a motel.

The sergeant said that although he did handle the case, he claimed he dealt with the matter fairly and his relationship with the wife did not affect the outcome of the investigation. Police quoted the sergeant, who was not named, as saying, "I felt sympathy for her since her husband was arrested."

Meanwhile, the woman told police that she could not refuse the sergeant's demand for sex because he was a police officer investigating her husband's case.

The incident was discovered after the arrested man filed a complaint with police.