A Cincinnati police officer's career is at stake over a dispute with his estranged wife that landed him in court Wednesday.
Officer Michael Mercer, 30, an officer since 1989 who works in District 3 on Cincinnati's West Side, faces a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
The Cincinnati Police Division suspended his police powers Wednesday pending an administrative hearing. He will be on desk duty while the case is pending, police spokesman Lt. Roger Wolf said.
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge David Stockdale allowed Officer Mercer to be released from jail without bond Wednesday. His case is continued until June 10. Judge Stockdale ordered him to keep away from his wife.
Officer Mercer and his wife, Laura Jacobs Mercer, are separated, but she reported that he assaulted her Tuesday at her Springfield Township home, in front of their two small children. Officer Mercer was served a warrant for his arrest early Wednesday at his home in Mount Healthy.
Laura Mercer told police Officer Mercer got into an argument with her over taking the mail. She said he grabbed her wrist and arm and pulled her out of her car, causing her to hit her head. She also says he yelled and threatened her. She was not seriously injured. If Officer Mercer is found guilty of domestic violence, he will lose his gun under a federal law prohibiting people with domestic violence convictions from carrying them.
The prohibition, passed by Congress in 1996, amended the 1994 Brady Law. It applies to anyone with a misdemeanor or felony conviction involving the use or attempted use of force against a spouse, child, guardian or other relative living at home.
