Richmond police officer will serve no jail time after suspect injured during arrest

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- An officer with the Richmond Police Department who was charged in connection to his conduct during an arrest walked free after his sentencing on Wednesday.

On Thursday, March 4, in the Richmond City Circuit Court, 52-year-old Paul Jenkins, of Richmond, was sentenced to 12 months in jail with 12 months suspended for disorderly conduct -- meaning he will not be incarcerated.

This conviction is in connection to an arrest he assisted other officers with back in April 2024. During that arrest -- which was a DUI call -- the suspect was injured.

“During the arrest, the officer attempted to remove the arrestee from the transport wagon and the arrestee suffered an abrasion to his head,” police said in a press release at the time of Jenkins' arrest.

According to court documents, he was originally charged with assault and battery, but that charge was amended to disorderly conduct. Jenkins then pleaded guilty to that disorderly conduct charge.