TPD officer arrested, charged with domestic violence

11/6/2013

A nearly 10-year veteran of the Toledo Police Department was at work Tuesday night when he was arrested and charged with domestic violence.

Jeremy Berndt, 39, who was hired in December, 2003, was then relieved of duty with pay, said police Sgt. Joe Heffernan. Earlier today Officer Berndt voluntarily took himself off payroll.

Officer Berndt, a patrol officer on the afternoon shift, was arrested at the Scott Park District Station in South Toledo.

Jail records indicate he was arrested at 11:45 p.m. and booked into the Lucas County jail about 30 minutes later.

Sergeant Heffernan said the officer has turned in his gun and badge pending internal and criminal investigations.

Officer Berndt was arraigned today in Toledo Municipal Court with attorney Jay Feldstein at his side.

Judge Michelle Wagner ordered the officer be released from the Lucas County jail on his own recognizance.

A corrections officer said Officer Berndt was released from jail after the 9 a.m. arraignment.

According to a complaint filed in Toledo Municipal Court, the alleged assault occurred on Nov. 3 at the West Toledo home that the officer shares with the victim.

The court document states that Mr. Berndt grabbed “the woman he lives with” by the arms and threw her into a wall knocking her down.

The court document states the woman was grabbed by the wrists and repeatedly shoved into a kitchen counter.

The victim was treated at Mercy St. Anne's Hospital for bruising and back and head pain, according to court records.

During the arraignment, Judge Wagner ordered the officer to not have contact with the victim, who was in court.

He is scheduled to appear in court again Nov. 15.

Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, was not immediately available for comment.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at tdungjen@theblade.com, or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.