Joseph A. Richardt, 38, of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

A Zion police sergeant was placed on leave after he was arrested for allegedly being involved in domestic abuse while off-duty in Wisconsin, officials said.

Joseph A. Richardt, 38, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was charged with one count of disorderly conduct domestic abuse, a misdemeanor.

Richardt appeared in court on March 21 in front of Court Commissioner Loren Keating.

Keating found probable cause in the case and Richardt pleaded not guilty, court records show.

Richardt was released from custody on a $700 signature bond.

Keating ordered Richardt to not possess or consume alcohol or drugs and not possess any firearms or dangerous weapons except for work purposes.

Keating also ordered Richardt to have no contact with four subjects as part of his bond conditions, court records show.

A criminal complaint filed in Kenosha County Circuit Court said Richardt’s wife called 911 just before midnight on March 17 to report her husband had threatened to hit her, the Kenosha County Eye reported.

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Richardt was allegedly making his children cry and was intoxicated, screaming and slamming doors, the complaint said.

He was reportedly upset that his wife posted photos on Snapchat and did not send them to him, the complaint said, the Kenosha County Eye reported.

Richardt left his home before Kenosha police arrived and was later uncooperative with officers, yelling at them remotely through a security camera, the complaint said.

Richardt is employed as a sergeant with the Zion Police Department.

Zion Police Chief Eric Barden told Lake and McHenry County Scanner he was “deeply disappointed and concerned” in hearing about the arrest.

“Any behavior that goes against the very values and principles that we, as law enforcement, are sworn to uphold is unequivocally not tolerated or accepted within our department. We hold members, and expect them to hold themselves, accountable to the rules of law and the high standards set forth in the policies and procedures of the Zion Police Department,” Barden said.

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Richardt has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation and the criminal case.

“As a police department, we are committed to serving and protecting our community with integrity, accountability, and respect. We hold our officers to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty, and will take appropriate action if those standards are not met,” Barden said.

“I want to emphasize that this officer’s alleged actions do not reflect the values of our department or of law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to serve and protect their communities. We will continue to work diligently to earn the trust and confidence of our community and hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics,” Barden added.

Court records show Richardt has retained an attorney in the case and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 5 for a pre-trial conference.

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