[09/05/03] A three-month Vicksburg police officer has been suspended following his arrest Thursday on a domestic violence charge, records show.

Danny McCoy, 42, of Tinsley, was taken into custody at Delta Muffler Shop, 2401 Halls Ferry Road, following a complaint by his wife, Diane McCoy, 46, shortly before 10 a.m.

“According to witness statements, the couple was involved in a verbal dispute, which escalated into a physical altercation,” the police press release said. McCoy did not resist arrest and was taken to police headquarters, where he was booked, the release said.

McCoy was freed on $553 bond on the misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.

Police Chief Tommy Moffett said today McCoy was suspended and an internal investigation was begun. He said he expected that investigation to conclude today and that he would then make a decision on what disciplinary action McCoy would face.

McCoy was not on duty when he was arrested, spokesman DaVon Grey said. Moffett said the new officer and his wife were reportedly at the shop to get their car fixed.

“He has done an outstanding job,” Moffett said of McCoy, who began work at the VPD on June 3. “This particular incident is by no way a behavior displayed or noticed since he’s been carrying out his duties.”

Moffett added that if McCoy is convicted of the domestic violence charge, he could not continue to be a police officer under current statutes.

Even if McCoy is not convicted of the crime, however, he may still face departmental disciplinary action, Moffett said.

“Domestic violence is a crime, and we will not tolerate it with our police officers,” Moffett said.

Moffett said he was not aware of any prior arrest of McCoy on a domestic violence charge.

McCoy was a former employee of the Yazoo City Police Department and, previously, the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department, Yazoo Chief Deputy Sheriff Harry Rutledge said.

Records showed no criminal convictions of McCoy, Rutledge said.

Yazoo City Police Chief Michael Wallace was not available.

McCoy is a “probationary” officer under Civil Service rules, meaning he would not be entitled to a review by the Civil Service Commission of any disciplinary action the city might impose.