Atwater police officer arrested for felony assault

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Merced Police are investigating an Atwater police officer after he was arrested Monday and charged for a felony assault while he was off duty last week.

Officer Dennis Frank was arrested at the Atwater Police Department for an incident that happened on July 24 where Merced Police said they saw broken glass at a home on Antler Court and Paulson Road.

Police said the victim was transported to the hospital and investigators were notified he suffered a concussion.

"The residents were reporting that there was breakage and believe that there was a fight in the area," Capt. Bimley West with the Merced Police Department. "After investigating the scene, officers discovered Frank assaulted the victim."

Frank is currently on paid administrative leave.

"They are continuing to look into what caused the assault in the first place," West said.

Police are interviewing witnesses about what happened.

Frank was booked at the Merced County Sheriff's Jail.

The Atwater Police Department said Frank has been with the department for 17 years.

"The standard for all law enforcement officers, whether on duty or off duty, is that their conduct should always be that which is expected of the public which is to uphold the law, not break the law," West said.