Ashley Luthern

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A Kenosha police officer has been charged with battery, disorderly conduct and felony misconduct in office after an on-duty altercation on New Year's Day.

Kendal J. West is accused of repeatedly punching a Kenosha Medical Center emergency room doctor who had reportedly been dating West's estranged wife and then accelerating his squad car toward the doctor and swerving away "at the last minute," the criminal complaint says.

West, 29, was on-duty and in his police uniform at the time. He was charged Tuesday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 20. He remained out of custody Wednesday on a signature bond.

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West and his wife are in the process of getting a divorce, court records show.

The incident was investigated by the Racine County Sheriff's Office and a Racine County prosecutor is handling the case, which was filed in Kenosha County.

West was placed on administrative leave after his arrest Sunday and an internal investigation will be conducted by Kenosha police, according to a news release from the Police Department.