A Kirkland police officer accused of exhibiting odd behavior toward bikini barista employees while using a city-owned vehicle has resigned following an internal investigation by the Kirkland Police Department (KPD). The officer was placed on paid leave during the investigation.

In the early morning of Sept. 18, 2023, baristas’ from a Monroe, Snohomish and Everett stand — all owned by the same women — reported a black SUV slowly approaching the stand, pausing, then taking off. While attempting to change before opening the stand, one barista recounted the black SUV pulling up and creeping forward until they could see her changing. Baristas noted the vehicle had an exempt license plate, later identified as a vehicle assigned to Lt. Timothy Carpenter.

Despite these incidents being reported on Sept. 18, Jovanna Edge, who owns the coffee stands, recalled her employees discussing a driver in a black SUV visiting the coffee stand several times over the past year. In a former report, one barista noted besides approaching the stand and driving away, the man in the black SUV with an exempt license plate made lewd comments as she made his beverage.

Since Carpenter resigned on April 3, the city has reported the resignation to the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission, Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris said.