Officer’s Country Concert Clash

An off-duty police officer wouldn’t keep the peace during a recent concert in Florence, Ariz., where he was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence assault charges April 14.

Officer Shawn Gilleland was attending a Country Thunder USA show with his girlfriend and several other off-duty officers when he became angry and hit his girlfriend in the face, according to police reports obtained by the Arizona Daily Sun. He also allegedly struck another officer.

Flagstaff police spokesman Lt. Ken Koch told the Sun in a statement the department was “embarrassed” by Gilleland’s actions, which represent a violation of the public’s trust.

“This situation clearly represents a question about conduct unbecoming of an officer,” Koch said.

Gilleland was arrested following the incident and booked into county jail for one night. He could face termination from his position with the department, Koch added.