Police probe leak of alleged Rihanna pic

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Police Department said it's looking into how a photo purportedly of Rihanna and showing the singer's battered face was leaked onto the Internet.

TMZ Thursday ran the photo, which shows a young woman with closed eyes, bumps on her forehead and lacerations and blood on her face. The entertainment Web site said the photo was taken after the 21-year-old recording artist's alleged altercation with her 19-year-old boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, on Feb. 8. Brown was arrested the day of the alleged incident and is due to be arraigned next month.

"The unauthorized release of a domestic violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation," the LAPD said in a news release Thursday night.

"At about 7 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on Feb. 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris

Brown," the statement said. "The photograph appeared on an entertainment Web site. The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence. ... A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination."

The LAPD said anyone with information concerning the unauthorized release of the photograph is asked to call, during regular business hours, (213) 485-4152. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.