Another deputy arrested

A Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested Wednesday on charges of domestic violence assault in the fourth degree.

Richard D. Smith, 45, was arrested at his Port Orchard residence.

Bail was set at $10,000, a standard range for fourth-degree domestic violence assault, a frequently charged offense in Kitsap County.

Smith made bail after his initial court appearance Wednesday and was formally arraigned on the charges Thursday afternoon.

He faces a maximum of one year in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor offense he’s been charged with.

Smith is accused of grabbing his wife, Brenda J. Smith, 40, and then throwing her to the ground. The Sheriff’s Office became aware of the incident after Smith spoke to an unnamed third person who then came forward.

The investigation last winter, was conducted by the Port Orchard Police Department, with an assist from Bremerton Police detectives.

According to Port Orchard police, the investigation took a month to complete.

Smith joined the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department in December 1988. Before coming here he was a trooper with the Alaska State Patrol.

Smith was placed on administrative leave until his case is adjudicated on Oct. 1.

Smith joins a growing list of local law enforcement officers involved with the courts on charges involving spouses or young female acquaintances. He is the third Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputy charged with a crime in the past year. A Bremerton officer is also facing charges, and a Poulsbo police officer is currently being investigated by the Pierce County Proseuctor.

Scott Wilson, KCSO public information officer, said the department is sworn to handling the cases openly.

“Any complaint that is received by the Sheriff’s Office will be looked into in a timely and thorough manner,” Wilson said. “We are committed to ensuring that the process is completed and the issue resolved.”

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.