The Lackawanna County district attorney's office is investigating allegations that an on-duty Scranton police officer assaulted his wife in April.
District Attorney Andy Jarbola confirmed that detectives are interviewing witnesses in relation to a petition for protection from abuse filed against Patrolman Dennis Hogben by his wife, Vania Hogben.
"Scranton police cannot investigate one of their own," Mr. Jarbola said. "If a Scranton officer is alleged to have committed any type of crime, the matter should be transferred."
Officer Hogben is on desk duty, Mayor Chris Doherty said. He could not comment further, however, citing the union contract.
According to Mrs. Hogben's petition, Officer Hogben began yelling at her and she tried to slap his face but missed after she found him in a car with another woman behind a building on Poplar Street and Sanderson Avenue at 9:30 p.m. on April 17.
Officer Hogben twisted his wife's left arm behind her back and tried to force her to the ground, the petition states.
Mr. Jarbola said Scranton police made contact with him shortly after the incident. He declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation. Officer Hogben was in uniform at the time of the alleged assault, the petition states. His patrol car was also parked nearby. Acting Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano previously confirmed Officer Hogben was on duty the night of April 17.
When reached Thursday, Officer Hogben declined to comment.
Officer Hogben relinquished his firearms and ammunition, including his service revolver and Taser, to the Lackawanna County sheriff's office.
A PFA hearing is scheduled for May 24 at 9 a.m.
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter