A Gainesville police officer arrested this week on domestic-related charges was booted off the force, department officials announced Thursday.
Collin Merritt was off duty Oct. 28 when he pointed a gun at his wife during a domestic disturbance at their residence, according to an arrest warrant. Gainesville police leaders became aware of the incident March 22 and asked the GBI to handle the investigation, police said in a news release.
Merritt, 26, was placed on unpaid suspension in the meantime, according to the release.
On March 29, the state agency filed charges against Merritt and he turned himself in at the Hall County Jail on Monday. That’s when he was fired from his job based on the GBI’s findings, according to officials.
Merritt is facing charges of reckless conduct, simple assault and pointing a gun/pistol at another. He was released April 4 on $6,100 bond, Hall County booking records indicate.
“We hold our employees at the highest standard as we aim to be pillars of our community,” Gainesville police Chief Jay Parrish said in the release. “At any point our employees betray our community’s trust or code of conduct, we will take immediate and swift action.”
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