Report: Off-duty cop was at McDonald party

No charges have been filed against Ray McDonald. (USATSI)

Did an off-duty San Jose police officer affect the investigation of 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald at his birthday party in August during a night in which he was arrested?

According to the San Jose Mercury News, it's possible. The newspaper is reporting that a police officer named Sgt. Sean Pritchard -- who, along with 16 other members of the San Jose PD, moonlights with the 49ers as part of the squad's security team -- was at McDonald's party that night in an off-duty capacity and was later called back by McDonald.

When police arrived to investigate a 911 call from McDonald's house in the early morning hours, Pritchard reportedly was already there in uniform.

More from the newspaper:

Pritchard was in uniform at the time, and questions about his capacity -- on behalf of the department or the team -- has spurred an Internal Affairs probe, and police are reviewing their secondary-employment policies, particularly with conflicts of interest, which was forewarned in a 2012 city audit urging more oversight of officers' off-duty work.

Sources say his presence also stalled the investigation into the domestic-violence incident, where police said McDonald's fiancee showed "visible injuries," and was a factor in the case taking a month to be presented to the District Attorney's Office. No charges have been filed and the case remains under review.

Later on Friday, the San Jose PD suspended all off-duty 49ers work for its officers until further notice, according to the Mercury News.

For the record, Pritchard -- a gang-suppression unit supervisor -- has been described to the paper as an "excellent officer."

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