Detective Joshua Boyd Charged with Domestic Violence

A Maricopa police detective accused of assaulting his wife and son during a domestic dispute was arrested Saturday and put on paid leave.

Detective Joshua Boyd, 41, faces charges of aggravated assault, assault, disorderly conduct and criminal damage, according to a press release Monday from the City of Maricopa Police Department.

Officers responded to a domestic violence call at 4:02 a.m. Saturday. Alcohol is considered to be a factor.

"The victim...explained she was pushed by her husband...causing her to fall to the floor and injure her right wrist. It was also learned her 14-year-old son was assaulted by Boyd while trying to protect his mother," the release said.

Both were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Boyd is also accused of striking a separation gate with a broom until it was bent and non-functional and of breaking the broom over his knee, the release said.

Boyd was booked into the Pinal County Jail. He will be placed on paid administrated leave pending an internal investigation.

Boyd, a Maricopa Police Department member since 2007, is currently assigned to the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force.

Officer Brian Hodges Charged with Beating His Wife

An officer from North Braddock is facing charges in the beating of his wife, while dressed in full uniform.

It’s not clear if Brian Hodges was on duty at the time of his arrest, but according to the criminal complaint he was dressed in full uniform.

Investigators said Hodges was arrested in Brentwood after his wife’s daughter called 911 and reported the beating.

The victim, Hodges wife, told police that he had choked her and slammed her head against a brick wall during an argument about an affair she accused him of having.

The victim’s daughter also told police that she witnessed the incident.

During the incident, the complaint stated, Hodges told his wife that, “he knew the cops, and who was working, and nothing was going to happen.”

Hodges denied the accusations and told police that custody issues were ongoing and, “the children will say anything.”

Police arrested Hodges and charged him with disorderly conduct and simple assault.

Officer Edward Sawicki III Charged with Assault and Disorderly Conduct

A Philadelphia police officer is charged with disorderly conduct, terroristic threats, assault and related charges in connection with an off-duty incident last year.

The district attorney's office said that at around 3 a.m. on Oct. 20, Edward Sawicki III backed his car into a man walking on a south Philadelphia street, hitting his knee.

The victim banged his hand on the trunk of Sawicki's car when he was struck.

Prosecutors said Sawicki got out of his car, pulled up his shirt to show his city-issued handgun and rushed at the victim, yelling racial epithets and threatening to kill him.

The victim contacted police and Sawicki was identified as a Philadelphia police officer.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said Wednesday that the 34-year-old officer is suspended with the intent to dismiss.

Officer Scott Pennell Charged with Aggravated Assault

A Chandler officer is behind bars on felony charges after he was arrested for a domestic violence incident at his home.

Officer Scott Pennell faces two counts of aggravated assault, two counts disorderly conduct, one count of stalking and one count of kidnapping.

Pennell's live-in girlfriend tell Chandler Police that on Wednesday he held her down on the couch and tried to strangle her.  According to a police report from Chandler Police, Pennell then called the victim's mother in Vermont and claimed he was going to kill his girlfriend.

His girfriend called Chandler Police on Thursday morning when he returned to the house.  The victim received medical attention, and a forensic nurse confirmed there were marks on the woman's neck consistent with strangulation.  Pennell surrendered to police at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Officer Kenneth Bielik Charged with Disorderly Conduct

A Youngstown police officer is due in court this evening on charges of disorderly conduct and failure to desist after being arrested late Monday for allegedly interfering in the investigation of a fight at a gas station.

Kenneth Bielik, 29, of Austintown, was issued a summons on the charges following an incident at Sheetz gas sation at the corner of Mahoning Avenue and Route 46.

Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees said Bielik is not on suspension because the investigation into the officer’s behavior just began and he wants to wait to see what happens in court.

According to a police report, Austintown officers were called to the gas station just after 11:30 p.m. Monday for a large fight. When they arrived, they saw a man, later identified as James Bielik, 31, shoving another man, Andrew Irwin, against a brick wall outside the gas station.

After seeing James Bielik shove Irwin a second time, officers ordered them to separate, and they complied. Irwin told officers he was confronted by James Bielik inside the store and was pushed out the double doors into the parking lot by James Bielik, who is the YPD officer’s brother.

Officers said James Bielik was very drunk and he told officers he thought Irwin was bothering his sister, which prompted the confrontation.

While Austintown officers were trying to interview James Bielik, Kenneth Bielik kept trying to interrupt despite repeated warnings to step away, the report states.

The report states that at one point, Kenneth Bielik yelled “I work for YPD. I am a police officer. What are you going to arrest me for?” Austintown officers noted in the report that Kenneth Bielik appeared very intoxicated, smelled strongly of alcohol and had glassy and bloodshot eyes.

After being told he would be arrested for disorderly conduct and obstructing official business if he did not walk away, Bielik had to be restrained by a friend, the report states.

As officers were trying to question a woman at the scene about what happened, Bielik continued to walk over and interject his comments. After being given several warnings and continuing his aggressive behavior, Austintown officers arrested Bielik for disorderly conduct and failure to desist.

At first, Bielik refused to be handcuffed, but he later complied, the report states. Once at the Austintown police station, Bielik calmed down and said he was upset because of a comment made toward his sister and he was defending her, the report states.

James Bielik was issued a summons for disorderly conduct after Irwin refused to press charges for assault, the report states.

Officer Richard Jouppi Found Not Guilty of Beating Man in Wheelchair

Back in 2012 Richard Jouppi was booking 50-year old, wheelchair bound, Anthony Jon Jackson in the detoxification center. Jouppi was clearly causing pain and hurting Jackson, at which point Jackson reached up with his arm to defend himself, and told Jouppi, “you can’t do that.”

Jouppi then stooped to particularly low level and began to pummel Jackson to the point of knocking him backwards out of the wheelchair and then getting on top of his paralyzed body.

Jackson was booked for felony assault. The charges were later dropped.

Jouppi, 36, faced fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges after the aggressive incident. This past November, Jouppi was found not guilty on all charges.

Even Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, was upset with the outcome and posted the following statement to his Facebook page,

“While I respect the judicial process I am very disappointed by the verdict in the Richard Jouppi case. His actions on September 21, 2012 were not consistent with department training or policy, bringing discredit to our department and detracting from the excellent work our women and men do on a daily basis. As I said previously, we will do everything we can legally to ensure he never works for our department again.”

YouTubeVideoBeating

It should come as no surprise that Jouppi was found not guilty. Cops can murder, beat, humiliate, rape and sodomize and keep their positions.

As he defended himself on the stand he even proclaimed the “unofficial” police oath, “It’s a tough position to be in as a police officer because I have to go home. I have my wife and kids at home.”

The bright side to this story, if there is one, is that Police Chief Ramsay has said his department has done everything in its power to ensure that Jouppi never works on the force again.

Back in 2012 Richard Jouppi was booking 50-year old, wheelchair bound, Anthony Jon Jackson in the detoxification center. Jouppi was clearly causing pain and hurting Jackson, at which point Jackson reached up with his arm to defend himself, and told Jouppi, “you can’t do that.”
Jouppi then stooped to particularly low level and began to pummel Jackson to the point of knocking him backwards out of the wheelchair and then getting on top of his paralyzed body.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-beat-wheelchair-bound-man-guilty-charges/#WVuDCUCCtK7pakQb.99

Officer Scott Neuhaus Charged with Disorderly Conduct

A seven year veteran of the Downingtown Police Department was arrested early Saturday morning following an incident at a Philadelphia gentleman’s club.

According to a brief statement provided by Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxell, around 2:45 a.m. Saturday the Downingtown Police Department’s shift supervisor was notified that officer Scott Neuhaus, 40, was arrested at Delilah’s Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse in the 100 block of Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. The statement said Neuhaus was off duty and in civilian clothes.

According to a docket filed in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia, Neuhaus was charged with one count of disorderly conduct with obscene language or gesture, a summary offense. A status hearing was tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24 in Philadelphia, according to court records.

Downingtown Police Chief James McGowan was immediately advised of the arrest, the statement said, and Neuhaus was placed on paid administrative leave. Maxwell was also notified, the statement said.

“The Downingtown Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the incident and Officer Neuhaus will remain on Administrative Leave until the conclusion of the investigation and any possible proceedings that arise from that investigation,” the statement said.

Maxwell and McGowan declined to comment further on the matter.
Neuhaus previously worked for the Coatesville Police Department.

Officer Lauren Fanning Arrested for Intoxication

A Louisville Metro Police officer who is still on her probationary period with the department was arrested early Saturday following an incident at Molly Malone's Irish Pub on Shelbyville Road, police said.

Officer Lauren Fanning, 24, of Spring Hill Court in Crestwood, was booked into Metro Corrections at 3:29 a.m. Saturday, and released about five hours later on her own recognizance, according to jail records.

Fanning was charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place, second-degree disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, third-degree assault on a police officer and fourth-degree assault. She is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Monday.

Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said Fanning, who was hired in June 2009, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Mitchell said he wasn't sure what led to the charges against Fanning.

 

Trial to Begin for Officer Michael Ficken Accused of Misconduct

A jury trial involving officer misconduct allegations against former Prior Lake police officer Michael Alan Ficken is set to begin next week in Scott County District Court in Shakopee.

Ficken, 34, of Savage was charged by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office in June of last year with officer misconduct, fifth-degree assault, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. He has pleaded not guilty.

Jury selection is set to start the morning of Tuesday, March 2. Opening arguments are expected to start later that afternoon and the trial will continue into Wednesday, March 3.

According to the criminal complaint:

While Ficken was on duty as a police officer, at about 7 a.m. June 10, he allegedly called his former girlfriend and when she didn’t answer, he drove to her house in Prior Lake. When Ficken arrived, he saw a vehicle he did not recognize and allegedly ran the license plate, without any known work-related reason to do so.

Ficken then allegedly went inside the house and attempted to find the 30-year-old woman, who was in a lower-level bedroom with the door locked. Ficken asked to be let into the bedroom, and the woman said, “No,” the complaint states.

Ficken then allegedly broke through the bedroom door while the woman attempted to hold it shut. While inside the bedroom, Ficken began to yell at the woman and a man who was inside the room with her, according to the complaint.

Ficken was then escorted out of the home by the woman and returned to duty. The man and woman then called 911, and Ficken was arrested by the Shakopee Police Department later that day to avoid a conflict of interest.

Following an internal investigation into the matter, Ficken was terminated from his position as a Prior Lake police officer on Sept. 21, 2009.

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case to avoid a conflict of interest.

Trial Set to Begin for Officer Michael Ficken

A jury trial for officer misconduct allegations against former Prior Lake police officer Michael Alan Ficken is set to begin next week in Scott County District Court in Shakopee.
 
Ficken, 34, of Savage was charged by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office in June with officer misconduct, fifth-degree assault, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Jury selection is set to start Tuesday morning. Opening arguments are expected to start later that afternoon and the trial will continue into Wednesday.
 
According to the criminal complaint:
 
While Ficken was on duty as a police officer, at about 7 a.m. June 10, he allegedly called his former girlfriend, and when she didn’t answer her phone, he drove his squad car to her house. When Ficken arrived at the woman’s home, he saw a vehicle he did not recognize and allegedly ran the license plate, without any known work-related reason to do so.
 
Ficken then allegedly entered the home and attempted to make contact with the woman, who was in a lower-level bedroom with the door locked. Ficken asked to be let into the bedroom, and the woman said, “No,” the complaint states.
 
Ficken then allegedly broke through the bedroom door while the woman attempted to hold it shut. While inside the bedroom, Ficken began to yell at the woman and a man who was inside the room with her, according to the complaint.

Officer John McCalister Sentenced to Probation for Punching Man

The former Oakwood Public Safety officer who was caught on surveillance tape punching a Dayton man inside a local convenient store while off-duty, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 23, to one year of non-reporting probation.

John McCalister was originally charged with misdemeanor assault, but he entered a plea of guilty for disorderly conduct before Dayton Municipal Court Judge John Pickrel sentenced him.

The misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge was the result of an agreement between McCalister’s attorney, Richard Skelton, and the Springfield Prosecutor’s Office, the special prosecutor assigned to the case.

Pickrel also ordered McCalister to pay $42 in restitution to victim Paul Watts and not to have any contact with Watts.

The incident occurred Oct. 14 at the Rite Aid, 1158 Wilmington Ave., after Watts, who was 48 years old at the time, asked McCalister for some change.

Video surveillance, which did not have audio, showed McCalister striking Watts twice without Watts attempting to strike McCalister back.

Watts arrived at the court building on Tuesday but did want to appear in Pickrel’s courtroom, according to Elizabeth Smith, assistant Springfield City Prosecutor.

McCalister’s wife and fellow Oakwood officer Tiffany McCalister witnessed the Oct. 14 event but was not charged.

John McCalister, who for 25 years has served both as a public safety officer and a Dayton firefighter, declined to speak in court.

McCalister resigned from the public safety department in December. Tiffany McCalister, who is a former Dayton police officer, was still listed on Oakwood’s payroll as of Tuesday, Feb. 23. However, Oakwood’s Assistant City Manager Jay Weiskircher said she is expected to resign in April.

Officer Christine Phinney Charged with Disorderly Conduct & Reckless Driving

A North Charleston police officer is placed on administrative duty and under investigation after Dorchester deputies pulled her over for speeding.

On Christmas Eve, officers charged 41-year-old Christine Phinney, the wife of a Dorchester County Sheriff's Lieutenant, with offenses that could have put her behind bars, but she never went to jail.

"I'm a police officer," yelled Phinney on the dash cam video. "Do you know see my torn lip? Do you not see my lip?"

Police say she was handcuffed and wrestled to the ground. After the small fight she said, "He's going to love it when he gets sued for a (expletive) fat lip."

Phinney worked as an officer with North Charleston Police Department. "I pull people for driving 100 mph, you know what they say? I'm a narcotics officer in an unmarked vehicle. Well just slow it down and have a good night. As long as the show me a badge, I don't care," said Phinney.

She tells the deputy she is Tony Phinney's wife, a lieutenant with the same agency that pulled her over.

Despite her connection, they charged her with disorderly conduct and reckless driving. Maj. John Garrison says the majority of people with those charges get a court date, but they're not taken to jail.

"It's not like there was preference shown it was treated like any other case," said Garrison.

It all started after officers saw Phinney speeding down Central Avenue in Summerville.

They say she drove in the median and passed cars pulled over for the blue lights. Eventually she turned in to the White Gables subdivision and stopped for officers. An incident report says they clocked her going 65 in a 40 mph speed zone.

"In this instance it did involve another police officer. Her supervisors in North Charleston were notified. They responded and requested that they be allowed to take custody of her. They did what they had to do as far as department police and their internal affairs investigation," said Maj. Garrison.

He says she could be fined, spend up to 60 days in jail, and get six points on her license for the charges. He says alcohol was not a factor.

North Charleston Police department has placed Phinney on administrative duty as she is being investigated.
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More Information & Photo

Former Officer Shawn Turner Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

A former Royalton police officer is in the Franklin County jail Thursday night. Shawn Turner was arrested on Wednesday and charged with official and disorderly conduct.

Turner made his first appearance in Franklin County court Thursday morning. But, it's not the first time News 3 has been in contact with Turner. In fact, just last month he sent News 3 several documents outlining his complaints against his former employer the Royalton Police Department. And these felony charges apparently stem from those issues.

Until recently, Shawn Turner was a lieutenant with the Royalton Police Department. He'd been in local law enforcement for years, including stints with Sesser and Johnston City. But, on Monday, the Royalton City Council fired him. Two days later- he was arrested.

"He's presumed innocent until proven guilty."

State police investigator John Lewis says, Turner came to ISP with claims against the Royalton Police Department and Chief- including allegations the Chief beat a civilian with a flashlight back in July. Investigating those allegations lead state police to question Turner...

"This investigation lasted a while, and the Franklin County State's Attorney evidently thought we had enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant."

Turner is accused of forwarding allegations against the Chief while knowing there was not reasonable ground for the claims. He's also charged with breaking into a locked evidence room at the Royalton Police Department. In the letter given to News 3 by Turner, he states he did, in fact, break into that locker. But, Lewis, will not confirm or deny many of the details...

"There is very little we can say, or the state's attorney can say, because we don't want to prejudice his case."

Before Turner was fired, he was on a 45 day suspension from the department. Royalton's Police Chief, who did not want to talk to us on camera, says the reasons for Turner's suspension and termination will eventually come to light. And, as for the allegations made by Turner, the Chief says they're totally untrue.

What will happen if Turner is convicted of these charges?

It's very unlikely he'll have much of a law enforcement career with an arrest record. Law enforcement officials in the area confirm Turner has put in applications at other police departments. Those departments are aware of his arrest.

Turner will appear in Franklin County court again in early February. He is currently being held on $20,000 bail.

School Security Officer Dean Banner Arrested for Hosting Teen Drinking Party

Police said a man who worked as a substitute security officer for the Highlands School District was arrested after he allegedly hosted a drinking party for teens.

According to district spokeswoman Misty Chybrzynski, Dean Banner worked on an on-call basis for the school system.

Chybrzynski said school administrators learned of Banner's Dec. 27 arrest the following day and permanently removed him from the substitute list.

Banner worked for the school district for 5 years and was not known to have had any previous problems, Chybrzynski said.

According to the criminal complaint, Harrison police were called to Banner's Natrona home to investigate a complaint of underage drinking.

When officers arrived, they found evidence that Banner was serving alcohol to minors, police said.

He is facing charges of giving alcohol to minors and disorderly conduct.

Officer Jason Bandy Arrested for Urinating on Bar Floor

A New Haven police officer was arrested today, a month after he allegedly urinated on the floor of a city bar and flashed his badge when asked to leave at closing time, police said.

Jason Bandy was charged with second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct.

New Haven Police's Internal Affairs division is also investigating this incident. Bandy is currently on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

"The New Haven Police Department takes any incident involving possible misconduct by an officer very seriously as we expect officers to serve as role models to the community," Chief James Lewis said.

Bandy allegedly refused to leave the Center Street Lounge on Oct. 30. Police say he urinated in the floor in front of a female bouncer and later showed his badge and said, "Do you know who I am?"

Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT03mSlHfyA

Officer Bryan Spiotti Acused of Hitting Suspect Gets Deal for Lesser Charge

The Wolcott police officer accused of hitting a suspected drunk driver has worked out a deal for a lesser charge.

Officer Bryan Spiotti said he stands behind how he handled the events inside of the Wolcott Police holding cell the night he arrested Glenn Pelletier in January for drunk driving.

Spiotti was arrested after prosecutors watched a surveillance tape of the assault, but Monday in court, Spiotti pleaded to a lesser disorderly conduct charge.

The state's attorney said that what happened in the holding cell was criminal, but after talking to Pelletier, the decision was made to work out a plea agreement because he was not looking to press charges.
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http://www.wfsb.com/news/21766036/detail.html

Chief Randy Rizzo Arrested for Public Intoxication

Atlantic Beach police chief Randy Rizzo admitted he drank ''too many beers'' and that led to his arrest Wednesday morning by Horry County officers outside a pool hall.

Rizzo, 39, of Conway was charged with public disorderly/public intoxication and was later was suspended from his position, according to Town Manager William Booker.

''That officer had every right to charge me,'' Rizzo said. ''I'm guilty. I'm not going to deny the fact. I'll pay like anyone else.''

Rizzo was arrested soon after the officer, Scott Calderwood, saw Rizzo drive his truck in a parking lot. Rizzo said he told the officer he was moving his vehicle to a safer place and had called his wife to pick him up, but got a verbal altercation with another officer that led to his arrest.

''I was trying to be a good Samaritan and not do anything illegal,'' Rizzo said. ''Unfortunately the officer got upset with me.''

Rizzo was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center at 3:04 a.m. and released at 4:03 a.m. after posting $262 bail.

Booker said he spoke with Rizzo on Wednesday morning before suspending him.

''He told me he was guilty of having too much to drink,'' Booker said. ''He said he was guilty. People here are pretty disappointed this happened.''

Atlantic Beach Town Councilman Donnell Thompson said ''wow'' when he learned of Rizzo's arrest.

''I would expect Booker to make the right decision,'' Thompson said of Rizzo's future.

It was not immediately known if Rizzo will be paid during the suspension, Booker said. ''I'm leaning toward it being unpaid,'' Booker said.

Booker said he plans to talk with Horry County officials before determining the length of the suspension.

''They just have to determine if I can do this job because of this charge,'' Rizzo said.

Despite telling officers at the scene he was drinking, Rizzo was not given a field sobriety test at the scene, said Sgt. Robert Kegler of Horry County police.

''The officer made the decision he made,'' Kegler said. ''Not every traffic stop is the same.''

The suspension leaves Atlantic Beach with three police officers. Booker said he would speak to the officers before determining if the town needs to ask Horry County police for patrol assistance.

Calderwood reported he saw Rizzo walking from Break Room Billiards to the parking lot of the Food Lion at the intersection of S.C. 544 and Myrtle Ridge Road at 1:45 a.m., according to an incident report.

Rizzo was ''extremely unsteady on his feet and appeared almost to fall,'' the report shows.

Rizzo entered a Dodge Ram truck near the Sonic on S.C. 544 when Calderwood approached Rizzo. Rizzo closed the truck door, started the vehicle and drove it to Break Room Billiards, the officer reported.

Calderwood reported that he asked Rizzo if he had too much to drink and Rizzo replied, ''No.''

Rizzo began slurring his words and told the officer he had been drinking.

Rizzo asked Calderwood twice if he knew who he was and the officer replied that he did and that ''it didn't matter,'' the report shows.

The report shows that Rizzo told Calderwood he would call his wife to pick him up, but later Rizzo got back in the truck and drove past the officer's vehicle.

Rizzo disputes he was in his vehicle twice and that's what led to the argument and his arrest.

''I didn't get in my vehicle twice,'' Rizzo said. ''I may have gone out once to get cigarettes or something.''

Rizzo said he was moving his truck closer to Break Room Billiards because he felt it would be safer there overnight.

The officer reported that he stopped the vehicle in the parking lot and that Rizzo attempted to exit. Rizzo was asked if he was carrying a ''duty weapon,'' the report shows.

The officer's supervisor arrived and Rizzo became ''loud and upset'' before he was arrested.

Calderwood reported that Rizzo asked ''why I was doing this to him.''

''I would have charged me just like anyone else,'' Rizzo said.

Officer Gregory Moray Arrested for Punching Fan in Face

A Steubenville police officer was suspended without pay after police in Stark County said he got into a fight with rival fans during a high school football game.

Massillon police said the fight happened during a freshman game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium over the weekend.

Police said Steubenville police Officer Gregory Moray was off duty in the stands when a verbal fight turned physical.

Moray, 42, faces a disorderly conduct charge and is accused of punching a Massillon Tigers fan in the face.

Sgt. John DiLoreto, Massillon police public information officer, said Moray and other Big Red fans were sitting on the side of the stadium for home team fans instead of in the visitors' section.

DiLoreto said, according to witnesses, Moray and other Big Red fans were getting rowdy and vulgar. He said Massillon fans told them to go on their own side of the stadium. At that point, Moray allegedly punched 63-year-old Thomas Cook in the face, DiLoreto said.

Cook also faces a disorderly conduct charge, as does 35-year-old Matthew Kell of Toronto.

All three men were arraigned before a Massillon municipal judge, pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance.

DiLoreto said the investigation is ongoing and said other Massillon fans present during the altercation might also face charges.

Officer Michael Turcotte & Wife Convicted of Domestic Violence

An incident of alleged domestic violence in January between a former Gilbert police officer and his wife ended with convictions for both, and may ultimately cost his police certification.

The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board is investigating whether to pull Michael J. Turcotte's certification, which is required to be a police officer.

The investigation opened Wednesday and centers on a fight between Turcotte, 50, and his wife of 27 years, Linda, who accused her husband of cheating on her, AZPOST and court documents show.

Gilbert police arrested the couple Jan. 22, one day after Linda Turcotte admittedly threw an apple at her husband's back and slapped him. He then proceeded to choke and "struck" her many times, court documents state.

Michael Turcotte admitted to police that he shoved his wife to the ground, but denied striking her, court documents state.

"In addition, their 3-year-old granddaughter was present during the struggle and witnessed the event," court documents state. "The granddaughter stated during a forensic interview that 'grandpa choked grandma.'"

Both Linda and Michael Turcotte were ultimately arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. Michael Turcotte, who joined Gilbert police Dec. 24, 2007, resigned Jan. 28 before an internal investigation could begin.

In early April, Linda and Michael Turcotte each took plea agreements in which they pleaded "no contest" to disorderly conduct.

Michael Turcotte was placed on one year unsupervised probation, while his wife received three years of unsupervised probation. Both are required to complete 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling.

Under the plea agreement, if Linda and Michael Turcotte successfully complete their probation and counseling, their convictions will be wiped from their permanent record.

The incident has spurred new allegations that Michael Turcotte violated ASPOST rules barring certification of police officials who commit "physical violence" or "malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance of office," or whose conduct "tends to disrupt, diminish or otherwise jeopardize the public trust."

When interviewed by police Jan. 22, Michael Turcotte said his wife accused him of having an affair with another Gilbert police officer.

"Linda accused the Gilbert PD of causing their marital problems," Michael Turcotte's attorney, Robert Kavanagh, states in court documents. "(Michael) Turcotte steadfastly denied that he was having an affair but nonetheless has resigned from the Gilbert PD."

After confronting her husband, Linda Turcotte told investigators she hit him with an apple and slapped him. Michael Turcotte responded by slapping, kicking, choking and pushing her to the ground, she said. Michael Turcotte admitted to pushing her, but denied going anything else.

Both were treated at a local hospital for scratches to their faces then booked into the Maricopa County jail.

Because the charges were domestic violence-related, the couple was not allowed regular contact with each other. In court documents, Michael Turcotte said he was seeking marriage counseling with his wife ahead of their planned surgery and requested contact with her.

"The root of their marriage problems related to (Michael Turcotte's) career at the Gilbert PD, which is now over," Kavanagh writes.

However, the January incident wasn't the first, according to AZPOST documents. Police were called to the Turcotte home Nov. 13, but no arrests were made. Linda Turcotte received an order of protection from her husband the next day.

A judge tossed the protection order Nov. 25.

AZPOST began in July 1968 as the Arizona Law Enforcement Officer Advisory Council aimed at establishing a set of minimum standards for the state's police officers. AZPOST certification is mandatory for all police officers but not county sheriff's deputies.

The 13-member AZPOST Board oversees 170 law enforcement agencies, more than 16,000 sworn peace officers, 9,000 correctional officers and 16 police academies.

Former Officer Donald Greer Arrested for Threatening

The alleged victim in a criminal case against a former city police officer hired a lawyer to defend her credibility in light of comments from the officer's defense attorney last week.

The Stamford woman last week also reported a suspicious object in her mailbox, leading the bomb squad to come to her home, police said. Demolitions experts used a robot to take a three-inch tinfoil ball from her mailbox. It contained burnt match heads, police spokesman Lt. Sean Cooney said.

The object did not contain any explosive material and could not have hurt anyone, Cooney said. But now police are investigating whether it was random vandalism or related to the case against the former officer.

"We have to explore that possibility," Cooney said.

Mark Sherman, a Stamford criminal defense attorney, will represent the woman, who alleges her ex-boyfriend, former Stamford police officer Donald Greer, threatened her. The woman told police Greer was a "predator" and had admitted to being with dozens of domestic violence victims, calling them "easy prey," court documents show.

She was a domestic violence victim whom Greer met while on duty in 2005. They allegedly struck up a relationship, and he testified during a trial that led to the conviction of the woman's ex-boyfriend for unlawful restraint charges.

Sherman said while the courts offer adequate support for domestic violence victims, sometimes a victim will hire an attorney to defend them when their reputation and credibility are challenged.

"It's unfortunate that a victim of domestic violence has to take hits like this in the media," Sherman said. "She refuses to throw stones back and will simply let the truth come out in the appropriate forums."

Christopher Caldwell, the lawyer representing Greer, said last week his client dated the woman for weeks following the first domestic dispute, but then tried to exit the relationship. He said the woman kept Greer close by promising to end his career.

Sherman said his client was undaunted by the claims and will not back down with the prosecution of the former Stamford police officer.

Greer is a 46-year-old Stratford man who left the Stamford Police Department after 24 years last week amid allegations he threatened his former girlfriend and illegally transferred a pistol.

In March, Greer was arrested on threatening and disorderly conduct charges stemming from allegations from the woman, who said she met Greer when he responded to the domestic dispute in which she was assaulted.

Last week, the Chief State's Attorney's Office, which took over the investigation in March, arrested Greer on a felony weapons charge for illegal transfer of a handgun.

The state began investigating Greer because it had concerns about his testimony during a trial that led to the conviction of the woman's ex-boyfriend.

Concerning the item left in the mailbox, Caldwell said: "I hope they dust for fingerprints and look for DNA to show my guy has nothing to do with anything."