Elkhart police officer placed on leave without pay

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Christopher Paciorkowski arrested for domestic battery

Christopher Paciorkowski (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 8, 2008 at 1:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 8, 2008 at 1:18 PM EDT

ELKHART — An Elkhart police officer accused of domestic battery is being placed on administrative leave without pay.

Christopher Paciorkowski was arrested on June 25 for felony domestic battery after his fiancée told police he pushed her. Paciorkowski is also accused of interfering with reporting a crime.

The Elkhart Safety Board decided Tuesday morning to stop paying Paciorkowski until the case against him is resolved.

If convicted, Packorkowski would not be able to carry a firearm so he could not be a police officer. Paciorkowski is a five-year veteran of the department.

Monday, Sep 15 at 6:46 PM Lillian wrote ...

There was no notice in the newspaper. I was at the meeting and the board announced the appointment after a closed session. They are having another meeting at 7:30pm on Monday 9-15-08 - come if you get a chance. It is at the Milton Township hall on Bertrand and Gumwood Road.

Saturday, Sep 13 at 3:46 PM kevin wrote ...

Lady in Niles. How do you know this is the same guy. I looked for an announcement in their local paper and can't find anything. or does his name come up under Milton Township. I would love to be able to verify this, please let me know where I could do that. Thank you.

Wednesday, Sep 10 at 11:05 PM Lillian in Niles wrote ...

This "cop on unpaid leave" was just hired in August by Milton Township in Niles, MI to be their enforcement officier. Scares me - and you should be too. How come no one is checking into this!!!!

Tuesday, Aug 12 at 3:22 AM baby daddy wrote ...

to this pigs victim: go to victim assistance down at the court house and file what is called an ex-parte protective order because he pushed you(battery) the judge has no choice but to grant it to you (legally) and in indiana if you have an ex-parte protective order filed against you you can not carry a fire arm. press charges, lets get a DIRTY PIG off the streets, and LETS TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME!!!!!!!!

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:08 PM julie wrote ...

The woman is fitting the stats of a woman abused. She went back to him yet again. I did too so its not totally her fault, she just doesn't have the self esteem to get free of it. And he is treating her well for now, after all he needs her to take the blame for this so he can get off. I can tell you the household is violent but the court system will not allow my child to have supervised visits or cancel overnight visits with him. She is forced to go and fear what can happen at any minute.

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:02 PM julie wrote ...

Just to let you all know. I was married to this #%@ for 13 years and we have two children. Believe me he is guilty as hell and has been for years but being a cop allows him to get away with all sorts of things. Abuse is just the tip of the iceberg. Every one of you have been ripped off by him. He gets paid by us, the taxpayers to spend sometimes up to 6 hours of his shift on his phone with his girlfriends. Oh, there are always several at a time.

Monday, Jul 14 at 3:39 PM Julie wrote ...

Lets be nice people... How many of us have gotten into a personal dispute with our mate? A lot.. Have you every pushed anyone or acted out? Lets not judge b/c we all could be in his shoes.. At least we our mistakes were not public.

Friday, Jul 11 at 4:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The county sheriffs were called in for this situation so that there could be no 'favoritism' against him by the EPD. He will not be found innocent because he is a police officier but because he was set up by her due to her many past domestic issues with every man she has ever been with.

Friday, Jul 11 at 3:46 PM Nurse wrote ...

What about 'innocent until proven guilty'? The media sure did convict him before he was even booked on charges. Did you ever think to hear the flip side side of the story? Read the official reports. This cop failed to report the violence she inflicted on him first to save his reputation as a cop. She also has a prior conviction with a past 'spouse' of domestic violence. NO ONE has the right to judge anyone until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

Friday, Jul 11 at 3:18 PM Tim wrote ...

I wonder how many times they took the mans picture before they got one he finally approved of. It's a pretty good picture. Nice shadowing, the lighting was perfect.

Thursday, Jul 10 at 3:53 PM IVY wrote ...

Okay Floyd, I'm sure you feel better now that you've gotten it out of your system. I was in no way eluding to the fact that IF this police officer did put his hands on his girlfriend in anger, that he should not be held accountable just like the rest of us would be held accountable. I also believe however, that because he is a policeman(just like politicians), he should be held to a higher standard than private citizens.

Thursday, Jul 10 at 12:00 PM anonymous wrote ...

Police should be held to a much higher standard. Kill a cop--you get life. Kill an average person and your off in a couple years. Domestic abuse from a cop, he should be held more accountable because he knows the laws better than anyone. My sister is married to a cop and they get away with everythng. Everything gets destroyed before it gets turned in. I agree with Edwardsburg, police are ABOVE THE LAW.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 7:54 PM Kit Kat wrote ...

Has anyone heard if the wedding is off?

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 4:52 PM lINDA wrote ...

FLOYD: SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUSH YOU OFF A CLIFF! SOON!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 3:29 PM Floyd wrote ...

If you reread my post, I didn't defend this officer. I was trying to point out that the bad news about cops sell and is what is usually reported, not the good news. I agree with you - if he beat up on his wife he should be prosecuted just like anyone else. If my husband lifted his hand to me - I'd be out of there so fast your head would spin. Sorry that I made you sick - I hope you are feeling better. Myrt

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 2:51 PM Right back atcha Joe wrote ...

Hey Joe nobody said they don't have sin. The fact is that police get "perks" in their job - like getting away with committing crime. I saw it in Fulton County. The drunken father-in-law of a police officer wrecked (property damage only) and the cops let him go. They take care of their own.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 2:41 PM Can't win wrote ...

No matter how hard a police officer tries to uphold his image, there always seems to be a rotten egg in the bunch. I'm not condoning what this officer may or may not have done, but the publicity sucks for ones that do uphold their image. It's a no win battle. Your damned if you do and damed if you don't. There are rotten eggs in every profession!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 2:22 PM Floyd wrote ...

All you defenders of good cop bad cop crap make me sick. There is one thing at stake here and that is did he broke the law. I don't care if he is a cop or not did he broke the law! So don't tell me if i needed a cop I would not be feeling this way because thats not the issue. If he battered his wife he broke the law plain and simple. So Myrt,Linda, and Ivy this is for you; If he was your husband or boy friend and battered you would you still say he was a good cop! Noooo!! So give me a break.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 1:23 PM Myrt wrote ...

There are good cops :) and bad cops :( Unfortunately the bad news sells so all we hear about is what the bad cops do and that is what is remembered. How about reporting stories about the good cops who give their time and money to underprivileged kid's causes. We hear once a year about the cops going Christmas shopping but nothing about what good causes they support the rest of the year. Maybe then people will start respecting the cops in general.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 11:01 AM crazy cop wrote ...

You know I was once married to a police officer and he was nothing but a habitual liar...To this day he lies to his children about things and he thinks he is "god". They need to go by the laws jsut like everyone else! They are nobody special.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 9:10 AM Linda wrote ...

My child is in a relationship with a cop and he almost died trying to protect people like you on this site. His friend Nick did get killed. He recently got shot at again. He treats my daughter like a queen. Most cops are not bad cops. Granger mom is as stupid as her post. Where do you get your information from? Just guessing? You don't have a clue. Next time you need a policeman, do them a favor and don't call since most are "shady" according to you!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 8:51 AM IVY wrote ...

I'm sure you wouldn't be ripping on this guy if you are the one that called for police assistance and he just happened to be the officer showing up to help you. ALLEGED..."pushing" I don't believe the news is always accurately reported and I don't think anyone has a mugshot that is very glamerous. People are so quick to judge based upon a few "choice" words used for a news story.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 4:45 AM Good ole boy wrote ...

This picture makes him look like a real prick. Guys got issues. Being suspended might do him some good. Still think the wife being, "pushed" is sugar coated. I can guess there was more to the story. Man needs some counseling.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 1:40 AM Wayne wrote ...

Define push? Did his arm brush her arm as he was walking out on her? This story seems kinda petty and it don't seem justified to take away his paycheck for.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 12:32 AM Granger Mom wrote ...

Most cops are shady. I know from experience. Some, may I add, very few are on the up and up. Most of them though, become cops to boost their image, self esteem, etc. This is just one example!!!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 10:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Jaclyn, I dont see how You could let someone get away for doing that to your child. their are other agencies to investigate that. That IS ABUSE. COSTA I dont believe you are real but a smart mouth trying to write what you think will happen to set people off;most of the people who pick on the police are ones who have had brushes with them cause you did something you were not suppose to. Granted this is true that several of the ones at E.P.D have really bad attitudes, BUT, THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 10:04 PM Dear Sweet wrote ...

There's a huge difference. If you've ever had kids, you will know what the difference is. For all you know, sweet, he could have "pushed" her off him as she was attacking. You don't know the story. She could be pressing charges because, just like you, she thinks she's "entitled" to attack others with no repercussions. I don't know if his girlfriend is like that, but I can tell that you are. You are arrogant, self-righteous and wrong. That's a terrible way to go through life. Step off.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:24 PM Costa wrote ...

He will be back on the job just like me. Mishawaka police sets the standard in domestic violence.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 7:12 PM busman wrote ...

maybe they have a spat, and he push her out the door

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 5:46 PM Joe wrote ...

He who is without sin let him cast the first stone. So for all of you who are perfect and without sin then cast stones otherwise I would say we need to realize that we are all humans and make mistakes.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 5:01 PM Edwardsburg wrote ...

Yes, we have had a few encounters with the Edwardsburg Police Department where they lie on police reports and just report whatever they want--definitely not the facts. Police have immunities that an average person doesn't have and that does make them ABOVE THE LAW. They get so used to abusing their authority they forget when they are off duty that they still have to obey the law as any other citizen.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 4:52 PM Anon wrote ...

GLad to see so many "pro" police postings.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 4:22 PM Victim wrote ...

I have worked with the Elkhart Police and it's sad to know that a lot more has been done by these men and women that is ignored. The blame is always put on someone else instead of the quilty police. The majority of the Elkhart Police Officers are hypocrites. We all know that drinking and driving is wrong but yet so many of Elkhart Officers do it themselves. What about Officers being out of Uniform in a bar with guns. Is that really the safest situation? The new Chief needs to open his eyes.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:53 PM Sweet wrote ...

Anonymous: What difference does it make what the definition of "pushed" is? If she reported he pushed her...assuming she didn't ask him to push her...then it was wrong. Period.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:33 PM Jaclyn Miller wrote ...

There will be nothing done,learned that from past experience I had a Elkhart police officer lock my kid in the basement with soap in his mouth and was told to go to the bathroom in a coffee can and guess what nothing happened and this was not the first time he had done something he shouldn't have to a child. I'm sick and tired of these IDIOTS getting away with what no one else can and shouldn't. All because the county would have to take responsability for hiring these so called upstanding people

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:19 PM Tim wrote ...

Haha, I love it when police officers go down for stuff like this! He was violent with someone he loves, just imagine how he treated someone he doesn't even know!! Maybe we should listen to some of those "criminals" when they say the police man beat him! They might not be lying. He will be found innocent and back on the "force" (pun intended)

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:15 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What is the definition of "pushed her"? Does that mean he put his hands on her shoulder and made her go backwards a foot or so, or the force of the palm of his hand on her made marks and she fell backwards?

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:37 PM Linda wrote ...

No one should be held to a higher standard. We should all face the same criminal prosecution if found guilty. He is no better and he is no worse than you or anyone else. They shouldn't be idolized, put on a pedestal or be torn apart anymore than you or anyone else should be. He is a human being like the rest of us. Marine mom, I am sorry but you are wrong.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:29 PM uh huh wrote ...

Here we go again.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:50 PM mishawaka wrote ...

he will be back on the job in just a little bit and will get back pay for time off

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Well said!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:36 PM A Marine Mom wrote ...

IF he did this,he should NOT be allowed to be a police officer.If guilty,he broke the law and is no better than the common criminal.No one has the right to touch another person without that person's consent.IF he did NOT do this,he should receive back pay for the time he wasn't paid.However,the blue wall should not stand in the way of justice.Police Officers and community leaders SHOULD be held to a higher standing than the rest of us.Afterall,they are supposed to enforce laws and be upstanding.

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