WALNUT
CREEK -- With the girlfriend he's accused of harming standing by his side, a
Concord police officer pleaded not guilty Thursday to two felony counts of
domestic violence.
Officer
Ameet Patel, 29, has been on paid administrative leave from the Concord Police
Department since he was arrested Feb. 16 in connection with a domestic incident
at his San Ramon home.
Patel
is charged with battery upon his live-in girlfriend causing traumatic condition
and false imprisonment by force.
Patel's
girlfriend stood next to him, with her hand on his back, as he faced a Walnut
Creek judge Thursday morning.
"It's
a case that we are going to address proactively," Patel's attorney, Harry
Stern, said.
"My
client didn't do anything wrong, and we're looking forward to having this
resolved in short order."
Stern
told a judge that Patel is enrolled in a 52-week domestic violence program. He
was released from jail on $55,000 bail shortly after his arrest, according to
court records.
The
Contra Costa District Attorney's Office has not released any details
surrounding Patel's arrest.
Patel
has been a Concord patrol officer for three years. The police department said
it's conducting its own investigation into the allegations.
Patel
returns to court May 24 to schedule a preliminary hearing on the charges.
Had enough?
Write to the Speaker of the House, U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC 20515 and demand federal hearings into the police problem in
America. Demand mandatory body cameras for cops, one strike rule on abuse, and
a permanent DOJ office on Police Misconduct.