SOUTH BEND — South Bend police officer Sgt. Eric Downey was arrested early Wednesday morning on charges of domestic battery and driving while intoxicated. He is now on paid administrative leave.

"The officers at the scene had reason to believe there had been a domestic violence incident, an actual physical confrontation," said Capt. Phil Trent, public information officer for the South Bend Police Department.

Downey — a 21 year veteran of the force — is now on the other side of the law.

Downey's wife called police around midnight. An officer was at the house around 2 a.m. investigating when Downey pulled up. Another officer smelled alcohol on his breath and arrested him.

A breath test showed Downey's blood alcohol content was at 0.09. The legal limit is 0.08.

According to police records, Downey's wife called the font desk at the police department, not 911.

On Sunday May 17, Downey's wife told police her husband threatened to hurt her animals. She called right back and told them to disregard the call.

In December, Downey's wife told police her husband assaulted her. Police sent that case to the Family Violence Unit.

In April, 2008, a third-party caller told police Downey's wife was having problems with the off-duty officer.

According to state law, the Public Safety Board makes the determination whether an officer is on paid or unpaid leave and how long that leave lasts.

The decision is usually based on the circumstances of the case and where the investigation stands.

Downey was released on $500 bond Wednesday and will appear in court Friday.