More details after Richmond police officer avoids jail time on disorderly conduct charge

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond Police Department shared more details after a police officer walked free on a disorderly conduct charge.

On Tuesday, March 4, 52-year-old Paul Jenkins was sentenced to 12 months in jail with 12 months suspended -- which means he will not serve any time behind bars -- for disorderly conduct in connection to an arrest he assisted with in April 2024.

Prior to Friday, March 7, police had not shared many details about the incident that led to Jenkin's arrest. A police spokesperson provided such details on Friday.

At approximately 11:19 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, Jenkins and other RPD officers conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of Azalea Avenue.

As a result of the stop, a 54-year-old Richmond man was arrested and charged with DUI. As he was being arrested, he suffered an abrasion to the head while police removed him from one of their vehicles.

Though medical personnel had been called, police said the victim refused treatment. He also did not file a complaint.

According to police, the involved officers reported his injury to the patrol supervision. The incident was then reviewed by the Chief of Police and RPD's Office of Professional Responsibility. The findings were forwarded to the Commonwealth's Attorney, which is standard for these incidents.

After an indictment before the grand jury, Jenkins was charged with simple assault. That charge was then amended to disorderly conduct.

Per the police spokesperson, as of Friday, Jenkins is currently on administrative assignment and has no direct contact with the public. They added that he does not have any "police powers."

Now that the legal activities have concluded, RPD's Internal Affairs will conduct a review of policy violations.