A Burlington police officer is on administrative leave after being charged with domestic assault.
Cpl. Ethan Thibault was arrested Wednesday following an investigation by the State Police into allegations of domestic abuse.
The Burlington Police Department contacted the Vermont State Police on Monday to ask the statewide law enforcement agency to investigate a potential allegation of domestic abuse.
Thibault’s alleged victim told police Wednesday about previous incidents of domestic assault by Thibault. According to the state police, the most recent instance occurred early Saturday morning at a home in Hinesburg.
The officer, who joined the BPD in 2001, was arrested at the Williston State Police Barracks on Wednesday.
It’s not the first time Thibault’s name has appeared in headlines. While responding to a 911 call in November 2013, Thibault shot a mentally ill man who was wielding a shovel.
The Attorney General’s Office cleared Thibault and the other officer who responded to the call, Cpl. Brent Navari, of wrongdoing in December 2013. However, Thibault, Navari and the City of Burlington are the subjects of a civil suit filed earlier this year by Wayne Brunette’s widow.
Thibault is the second Burlington police officer in three months to face a criminal charge.
Officer Leanne Werner was arrested in July for driving under the influence after she crossed the yellow line and caused a head-on collision with another car. The driver of the car, Omer Martin, 74, later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
In a statement Wednesday, the Burlington Police Department said that the department will conduct an internal review following the criminal investigation. Thibault was due to appear in court Thursday morning.
