An off-duty NYPD officer was arrested on Friday morning for allegedly assaulting his fiancée in Harlem.

Henry Vidal, a veteran Manhattan officer, was arrested just before 6 a.m. in the 34th precinct and charged with assault and harassment. "He pushed his way inside, jumped on top of her, twisting her wrist and causing pain and discomfort," according to an arrest report.

The victim was hospitalized with swelling and bruising, the spokesperson said.

Vidal has worked for the NYPD since at least 2003. In 2017, he was reportedly suspended after letting a shoplifting suspect escape in handcuffs.

Two years prior, Vidal was sued in federal court for falsely arresting a young black man. Charges against the young man were dropped after he spent three days in custody. The outcome of the lawsuit is pending.

A spokesperson for the NYPD said Vidal has been suspended without pay.

Studies have shown that incidents of domestic violence are two to four times higher in the law-enforcement community than in the general population.

According to the National Center for Women and Policing, "even officers who are found guilty of domestic violence are unlikely to be fired, arrested, or referred for prosecution, raising concern that those who are tasked with enforcing the law cannot effectively police themselves."

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there is help available 24 hours a day at the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) and the NYC Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-621-HOPE). Victims of domestic violence may receive temporary housing, emergency shelter and supportive services for themselves and their children from the city. More information can be found here.

