Kansas police officer is charged with battery and criminal threat

An Ottawa, Kan., police sergeant has been charged with battery in connection with an incident at his home earlier this month.

Steven Burkhart made an initial appearance Wednesday in Franklin County District Court, where he is charged with battery and making a criminal threat. He had been arrested earlier this month.

Franklin County officials said the charges, which were filed Tuesday, were not related to Burkhart’s law enforcement duties.

Burkhart, 35, was arrested on the charges Sept. 4, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and was released from custody after posting a bond.

He is scheduled to appear in court again Oct. 29.

Burkhart was placed on paid administrative leave after the incident, according to a police department spokesman.

This story was originally published September 26, 2018 at 10:36 AM.