HAYWARD -- A police officer was charged Monday with three counts of oral copulation involving minor boys, according to Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Richard Klemmer.

Jeff Cristofani, 41, who has been in the department for 18 years, also was charged with two counts of threatening to dissuade a witness, Klemmer said.

The oral copulation charges involve two victims, according to Klemmer.

Klemmer was scheduled to be arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court this afternoon.

His attorney, Terry Bowman, wasn't immediately available for comment.

Hayward police spokesman Lt. Reid Lindblom said a warrant for Cristofani's arrest was issued last Wednesday and he was arrested and booked at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Thursday.

Cristofani was released after posting bail, according to Lindblom.

Cristofani has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case against him, Lindblom said.

Cristofani is the second Hayward police officer to face criminal charges in recent years.

In December 2004, former officer Jose Hector Nunez pleaded no contest to felony false imprisonment after forcing a 16-year-old girl to undress during an unwarranted traffic stop.

He was sentenced to a year of work furlough and five years' probation.