A Philadelphia police officer has been charged with driving under the influence after he allegedly struck several parked cars while off-duty early Wednesday, police said.

About 5:30 a.m., Officer Nicholas Harper, a four-year veteran, allegedly struck the parked cars while he was driving his personal vehicle on the 1600 block of North Sixth Street in North Philadelphia's Ludlow neighborhood.

Police responded to the scene and observed signs of impairment, police said. Harper was taken to the Police Detention Unit for testing and subsequently charged. He has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the DUI charge and an Internal Affairs investigation, authorities said.