US police officers under investigation for nude photo shoot at Oregon courthouse

More than 12 US police officers are under investigation for taking part in a nude photo shoot at a courthouse.

A group of Sheriff deputies in Oregon are suspected of photographing each other while naked or semi-clothed at the Clackamas County courthouse.

The officers used the photos to make a calendar for a retiring colleague, The Oregonian reported.

Captain Dave O'Shaughnessy, a 24-year veteran with the force, was reportedly placed on paid administrative leave in the wake of the scandal.

The Sheriff’s office was alerted to the photo shoot by an anonymous person sent a letter to Sheriff Craig Roberts as well as local newspaper The Oregonian.

The letter alleges that officers posed with objects including assault rifles and a cat to hide their genitals.

Sheriff Roberts said the allegations were being taken “very seriously”.

"Behaviour like this, if true, is not acceptable and extremely troubling," he added.