Greensburg police officer charged after reported domestic violence incident

A Greensburg police officer was arrested Friday in connection with a reported domestic violence incident at his home, according to court papers.

Kenneth J. Burke, 35, is charged with strangulation, harassment and simple assault. He works as a handler for police dog, Ace.

A woman who has known Burke for the last couple months reported Friday to Westmoreland County detectives that when she arrived at Burke’s home the night before, he began yelling at her because he believed she gave his cell phone number to a person he didn’t know, according to court papers.

The woman reported that Burke put her in a choke hold and threw her on the ground in a bedroom. She was able to escape, police said.

Detectives noted that the woman had several injuries, including to her ear, back of her neck and arm. Photographs she took of the injuries on her cell phone were supplemented by pictures taken by a forensic detective.

Burke was arraigned Friday night and is free on $10,000 unsecured bail. No one answered the door at his home Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Friday.

He is on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the case, said Police Chief Shawn Denning. His work vehicle and firearm are in possession of the city, which is conducting an internal investigation.

Burke became a police dog handler last year after being hired by the force in 2017. In addition to his duties as a police dog handler, Burke is a member of the Westmoreland SWAT Team. Ace was one of two police dogs purchased by the city for $11,000. City officials in December agreed to buy the pair a new Ford Explorer and outfit it for police dog use.

Both the dog and the SUV were covered by a donation from the district attorney’s office.