A Garden City police bicycle officer is on administrative leave without pay after being arrested Monday on an allegation of domestic battery.



Omar A. Mora, 37, was arrested at 3:30 a.m. Monday on an allegation of domestic battery after police responded to a report of a domestic violence incident involving Mora and a woman in the parking lot of a strip mall in the 2300 block of East Kansas Avenue.



Garden City police Capt. Randy Ralston said the woman sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.



According to Ralston, Mora was placed on administrative leave Monday, at which point the investigation was turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which is standard procedure when an officer is involved in any kind of criminal investigation.



KBI Special Agent Bruce Miller said he could not provide any information about the incident because it is still under investigation.



On Friday, Finney County Attorney Susan Richmeier said after the KBI�s investigation concludes, the case will be turned over to the Scott County Attorney�s office, to avoid any conflict of interest with her office.



The Garden City Police Department is conducting an internal investigation.



�Any time we have an incident with an officer�s conduct, we do a parallel investigation, an internal investigation into the matter,� said Garden City police Chief Michael Utz. �It is to determine if there were any violations of city policies, department regulations, city ordinances or state laws.�



Ralston said domestic violence is a violation of the GCPD�s standards of conduct.



Ralston said Mora had no record of domestic violence prior to this incident, and said anyone who has been convicted of a domestic violence crime would not be eligible to become a police officer because under Kansas law, such offenders are not allowed to carry or possess a firearm.



Ralston would not comment about whether Mora would lose his job, if he is convicted.



Mora, a senior master patrol officer, has been with the GCPD since 2002.



Utz called Mora a �seasoned and professional� officer, but said he could not comment further about Mora�s employment with the GCPD because it is a personnel matter.



Utz declined to comment about the GCPD�s view of the case because it is still under investigation, but said in general the GCPD does not condone such behavior.



Mora will remain on administrative leave until the investigation is concluded, Ralston said.



Mora was released at 11:39 a.m. Monday on a $5,000 bond. His first appearance in court has not been scheduled.



Mora could not be reached for comment.