Images of police officers posed with scantily clad women have triggered an investigation in Modesto, Calif., after the racy photos were sent to its police department, City Hall and news media earlier this week.

The photos show two uniformed Modesto police officers along with several woman wearing revealing clothing. Seven of the photos are of one officer along with several women in various poses, including atop a patrol car and handling handcuffs that are possibly those issued him by the department, WTSP-TV reports.

In two other images, a current member of the force, Yair Oaxaca, is shown. The photo featuring Oaxaca, an eight-year veteran of the force, aren't considered scandalous by the department, but will still be investigated to determine if any policies or procedures were violated, according to the TV station.

In a written statement Wednesday, the police department said that it believes the photos are more than two years old and taken in Modesto's downtown entertainment district.

The department is undertaking an internal investigation but said that the officer in the first set of photos -- considered more egregious than those featuring Oaxaca -- is no longer with force, having left in February 2010.

If the officer were still employed by the department, the press release said, the officer would "be facing severe discipline."

Police Chief Michael Harden said the incident has put a blemish on the department, but the "behavior does not represent the hard work and commitment from the men and women of this organization."