As if a traffic stop is not anxiety-inducing enough, imagine having your cell phone pictures stolen and shared by the patrol officer.

It happened in California, and according to an East Bay California Highway Patrol officer accused of stealing a DUI suspect's nude photos, police officers have stolen images for years, reports KPIX 5.

According to official reports, Officer Sean Harrington of Martinez admitted to stealing explicit photos from the suspect's phone, which he sent by text message to at least two other California Highway Patrol officers.

Contra Costa Times obtained court documents in which Harrington told investigators the image stealing has happened for years in the law enforcement agency, and spanning from Los Angeles to his own Dublin station.

Harrington referred to the photo stealing as a "game." He confessed to stealing pictures from female arrestees a "half dozen times in the last several years."

The DUI suspect realized her photos had been stolen when she synced her phone following her arrest. She noted that six photos were sent from her phone to another account.

Rick Madsen, the Danville attorney for the 23-year-old San Ramon woman, told KPIX 5, "They're personal private photos she meant to keep private on her own cellphone and were not meant for anybody else's eyes."

"The callousness and depravity with which these officers communicated about my client is dehumanizing, horribly offensive and degrading to all women," he said. "It's going to lead to another level of mistrust and skepticism to the motive of law enforcement in general."

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joseph Farrow said in a written statement to KPIX 5, "The allegations anger and disgust me. We expect the highest levels of integrity and moral strength from everyone in the California Highway Patrol and there is no place in our organization for such behavior."

The San Ramon woman's DUI case has been dismissed due to the investigation into Harrington's conduct.

The California Highway Patrol confirmed that a "5-year veteran" has been placed on "administrative duties," though they did not name Harrington.

Deputy district attorney Barry Grove said he expects a decision to be made next week regarding the California Highway Patrol probe charges.