A Clifton police officer was arrested Thursday for allegedly having inappropriate conversations with a child on the Internet.

Police say Officer Mark Fernandes, 29, thought he was chatting with a 12-year-old girl. However, Fernandes was actually having sexually explicit conversations with a detective from the Passaic County Sheriff Department?s Internet Crimes Task Force.

Fernandes was suspended without pay. He was released after posting $50,000 bail. He is charged with attempted sexual assault of a minor and endangering the welfare of a minor.