[CO] Officer Schmedeke arrested and investigated for harassment of wife

...Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz said suspicion of domestic violence was added given [Craig Police Officer Frank] Schmedeke’s relationship with the alleged victim. “A classic misnomer with domestic violence charges is that something physical transpired during the course of the incident"...

CRAIG POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT: Eight-year veteran Frank Schmedeke released on bond, suspended with pay
Craig Daily Press
By Joe Moylan
November 28, 2011
Updated: November 30, 2011
[Excerpts] A Craig Police Department officer has been released from Moffat County Jail following his arrest Sunday night for an alleged domestic violence incident. Frank Schmedeke, 37, an eight-year police department veteran, was arrested at 9:41 p.m. at his home in the 1100 block of Legion Street on suspicion of harassment and domestic violence against his wife... Craig Police Chief Walt Vanatta said Schmedeke has been suspended... In addition to a criminal investigation currently underway by the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office and 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Vanatta said the police department is conducting an internal investigation.... Schmedeke’s ability to return to the department also hangs on the outcome of any potential court proceedings. “It kind of depends on what the DA’s office decides to do,” Vanatta said... The decision on whether to file formal criminal charges in Moffat County Court will be made before Schmedeke’s first court appearance, slated for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6 before Judge Sandra Gardner... Once police officers identified who was involved, it was decided to bring in sheriff’s deputies to conduct an impartial investigation... [Sheriff’s deputy Clay] Caldwell determined there was enough probable cause to arrest Schmedeke on suspicion of harassment and domestic violence. Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz said suspicion of domestic violence was added given Schmedeke’s relationship with the alleged victim. “A classic misnomer with domestic violence charges is that something physical transpired during the course of the incident,” Jantz said. “That’s not always the case... There’s no cover up going on,” Jantz said. “There are a lot more legal avenues we need to pay attention to when an officer is involved and we’re just trying to be careful to get it right.” [Full article here]
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