The Bellevue Police Department demoted two senior officers for failing to report an extramarital relationship that began in January of 2012.

Former Major John Manning and former Capt. Autumn Fowler were both demoted to the rank of lieutenant and will report to Major Jerry Litzau for assignment. An anonymous police captain reported the relationship to Manning’s wife and the department.

According to a disciplinary letter by Police Chief Linda Pillo, nothing indicates that the extramarital affair took place during duty hours or on city property. Public information officer, Carla Iafrate, said that she would not be participating in interviews at the moment, but indicated that the news hadn’t helped department morale.

Chief Pillo wrote to Major Manning: “You consciously disregarded the interests of the Department to further your own personal interests. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment.”

The news comes on the heels of an earlier demotion and the disciplining of two more off-duty officers at a Seahawks game last September. A fan reported the unruly behavior which included the taunting of a Seattle police officer. Two of the officers were later kicked out for their actions.

Iafrate clarified that the demotion was because neither individual reported the eight month affair, and because department policy requires that officers avoid conflicts of interest, which could endanger “the integrity or operations of the Bellevue Police Department.”

Disciplinary letters indicate that Chief Pillo will fire either officer should they repeat the violation, or should similar misconduct persist.