St. Paul cop investigated in alleged off-duty assaultBy Mara H. Gottfried
mgottfried@pioneerpress.comPosted: 02/10/2009 12:01:00 AM CST
A St. Paul police officer is the subject of a criminal investigation for allegedly assaulting a man while off duty.
Police spokesman Peter Panos said he doesn't know details of the case involving Officer Scott Wendell, who has been placed on administrative desk duty. The case has been referred to the Hennepin County attorney's office to avoid a conflict of interest, and a decision on whether or not charges will be filed is anticipated next week, Panos said.
A county attorney's office spokeswoman said she couldn't discuss cases that haven't been charged.
There will be an internal affairs investigation when the criminal case is closed, Panos said.
Wendell became a St. Paul police officer in 1999 and has no record of departmental disciplinary action, Panos said.
He is on unsupervised probation in Anoka County, where he lives, for a misdemeanor domestic assault case.
Wendell pleaded not guilty to the domestic assault charge filed in April. It was continued for dismissal on July 14 with conditions that he not commit assault, abusive behavior, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and other offenses, according to the court register of actions. His probation ends July 14, 2009.