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TUCSON, AZ - More than a half dozen University Medical Center employees are in danger of losing their jobs. The problems started on Friday, after allegations that someone snapped inappropriate pictures of a hospital patient with a cell phone.

UMC has suspended eight nursing aides, and nurses after an employee reported the alleged incident.

Tucson police are also investigating.

Sgt. Fabian Pacheco says, "At this point detectives are in the early stages of the investigation there will be looking into the allegation and also ensuring that there are no additional victims out there."

UMC officials sent out an internal memo to employees saying, "When we learned of this we immediately began an investigation. We also contacted the patient's family to advise them of the situation."

The memo goes on to say, "If it is determined that UMC staff members violated UMC policy, appropriate discipline, which could include termination, will be issued."

When it comes to camera and cell phone usage inside the hospital, UMC officials have a very strict policy that all employees must follow.

Under hospital policy any photo of a patient must be authorized by the patient, or the patient's family.

UMC officials say, "This type of incident has the potential to seriously undermine the trust of the public in University Medical Center."

Police are not commenting on the types of pictures allegedly taken.

Pacheco says, "We hope to know more about what happened in the next few days."