[OH] Officer Hartless' alledged brutal domestic violence attack wont't be called domestic violence? It's just disorderly of him.

Also in August:

...[Newark Police Officer Bobby] Hartless was arrested after a 17-year-old girl said he punched her in the head, slammed her against the wall and kicked her repeatedly, according to police records. He was charged with disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.... "At first he grabbed me by the hair and threw me on the ground, kicked me between the shoulder blades while screaming at me"... Officers documented bruises, scrapes and cuts on the girl's body. A boy notified the girl's mother about the fight via text messages and sent a picture of the bruises to a relative... a domestic violence charge would be problematic because of the victim's credibility... A domestic violence charge would have meant Hartless had to turn in his firearms, but because Hartless was charged with disorderly conduct...

Newark police officer arrested on suspicion of domestic violence
No charges filed by deadline; man released from jail
The Newark Advocate
By Jessie Balmert
August 6, 2010
[Excerpts] A Newark police officer spent Wednesday night in jail after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a 17-year-old girl. Newark Law Director Doug Sassen appointed attorney Christopher Shook to review the case and determine what charges, if any, should be filed. The officer was released from jail Thursday after no charges were filed by the 11 a.m. deadline, Sassen said. People arrested must be charged and arraigned the following business day or be released. A 17-year-old girl reported the officer and a boy assaulted her Wednesday evening... Because the officer has not been charged, he will return to work Sunday... [Full article here]

Newark police officer accused of domestic violence still on duty
City's handling of allegations involving employee lengthens process
The Newark Advocate
By Jessie Balmert
August 13, 2010
[Excerpts] A decision about possible charges against an off-duty Newark police officer accused of domestic violence has been delayed more than a week after his arrest in an effort to avoid a conflict of interest, according to Newark's law director. The delay has given the officer time most residents facing similar allegations are not allotted and other area law directors said they would not give... The girl alleges the officer punched her in the side of the head, slammed her against a wall and kicked her repeatedly... "At first he grabbed me by the hair and threw me on the ground, kicked me between the shoulder blades while screaming at me"... Officers documented bruises, scrapes and cuts on the girl's body. A boy notified the girl's mother about the fight via text messages and sent a picture of the bruises to a relative... Human Resources Director Donna Sears said the files are housed at the police department, but on Thursday afternoon the department was unable to supply the supporting documents requested by The Advocate... [Full article here]

Newark police officer Bobby Hartless taken off patrol
Newark Advocate
By Amy Hollon
August 21, 2010
[Excerpts] Officer Bobby L. Hartless Jr. was placed on indefinite administrative duty Friday pending the outcome of a criminal case and subsequent internal investigation by the Newark police department... According to a press release, special Law Director Christopher Shook told the police department a domestic violence charge would be problematic because of the victim's credibility. But until the criminal matter is resolved, Police Chief Steven Sarver said Hartless will not be on patrol. His police powers have not been stripped, however. The main reason for that, Sarver said, is Hartless still has several court appearances scheduled. Sarver said he did not think it would be in Hartless' best interest to take away his ability to defend himself. A domestic violence charge would have meant Hartless had to turn in his firearms, but because Hartless was charged with disorderly conduct, Sarver has contacted the law director's office for an opinion about whether Hartless' gun needs to be taken away... Initially, when The Advocate requested public records pertaining to Hartless, it did not receive materials from the internal investigation conducted against Hartless in November. When The Advocate filed a second request for the specific document, it was told the file was kept in a locked file cabinet with just one key that only Sarver could access... [Full article here]

Officer's case reveals good, bad of city government
Newark Advocate
August 22, 2010
[Excerpts] ...It took a week for the city to produce the officer's personnel file, which was too long. Any resident should be able to walk in and inspect the file with minimal delay, although the city does have to redact some personal information under law. Even worse, the city continues to keep disciplinary information in a separate file at the police station a block away when it should be included in more complete form in the employee files. We found just a notice of suspension and learned the documents explaining the suspension were in Chief Steven Sarver's locked cabinet while he was out of state, and no one else knew where to find the key. Knowing Newark keeps two files, our records request specifically requested disciplinary information. It was ignored in clear violation of Ohio law. Only when our patience with City Hall grew thin did [Mayor Bob] Diebold take our request seriously and magically find some documents in Safety Director Roger Stollard's office. It would be laughable if it were not so serious... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety lethal ohio state jail]