Kenosha Police Officer Kendal J. West Charged With Felony Count And Battery Involving Boyfriend Of Estranged Wife

Kenosha Police Officer West was charged with one felony count for misconduct in office and two misdemeanor counts for battery and disorderly conduct for an early New Year's Day altercation with an ER doctor involved in a relationship with West's estranged wife.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 3, 2017

Kenosha, WI - On Tuesday, Kenosha Police Officer Kendal J. West, 29, was charged with one felony count for misconduct in office including the use of excessive force and two misdemeanors counts for battery and disorderly conduct, according to Racine County Court records. A cash bail was set at $20,000 for West. West is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on January 20.

West taken into custody on early Sunday around 2:00 a.m. in connection with an altercation early New Year's Day with an ER doctor who is dating West's estranged wife. West's wife went to talk to her boyfriend at a Kenosha hospital parking lot. While the doctor talked to West's estranged wife, Officer West while on duty stopped by after following his wife and got out of his police squad. West approached the doctor, suddenly in a jealousy rage began to punch the doctor in the head and then got into his squad and drove off almost striking the doctor.

West's estranged wife told investigators that she had earlier tried to serve West with divorce papers, but he had tore them up.

A hospital nearby video surveillance camera in the parking lot recorded when West struck the doctor multiple times.

West was charged on Tuesday with the following counts:

• Battery (Class A misdemeanor) if found guilty, West is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines

• Misconduct in office (Class I Felony)  if found guilty, West is facing up to 3 years and 6 months in prison and up to $10,000 in fines

• Disorderly Conduct (Class B Misdemeanor) if found guilty, West is facing up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines

Cash bond for West was set at $20,000, according to Racine County Court records.

Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskins cited that Officer West has been placed on administrative duty and the "altercation stemming from a personal problem."

West was hired in 2013 by the Kenosha Police Department and was a former police officer with Montgomery Alabama Police Department. West is originally from Kenosha, according to the KPD.