A Gary police officer with a 17-year tenure has been placed on unpaid leave after his domestic battery arrest in Portage, the department announced Wednesday.
“Integrity is the foundation of public safety. While this news is disappointing, I want to reassure the public: the alleged actions of one individual do not define the character of this department,” Chief Derrick Cannon said in a Wednesday statement. “The men and women of the Gary Police Department show up every single day with professionalism, courage, and a genuine heart for service to this city. We are building a culture of accountability and excellence, and we will not let this isolated incident distract us from our mission to protect and serve our community.”
Sgt. Jamaal Joseph, 40, was arrested by the Portage Police Department, according to documents from the agency. He was charged with a felony count of domestic battery in the presence of a child younger than 1 years old and two misdemeanors for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, one while endangering a person, according to online court records.
Joseph was ordered to have no contact order with the victim on Tuesday, and multiple hearings have been scheduled. A jury trial is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Oct 15, 2026, according to online court records.
Joseph was placed on unpaid leave once the Gary Police Department verified the charges, according to a Wednesday social media post. He will remain on leave “pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and the completion of our own internal investigation.”
A Portage officer spoke with the victim at about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, who said Joseph allegedly struck the right side of her face with a closed first in a “rude, insolent, or angry manner,” according to the probable cause affidavit.
A child was upstairs in the home when she saw Joseph allegedly hit the victim.
Another officer found Joseph after the incident, according to the probable cause affidavit, and dispatch advised him that Joseph was allegedly involved in a physical domestic battery while having a weapon out. While driving, Joseph was allegedly moving unsafely between lanes.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Joseph smelled of alcoholic beverages, had red and watery eyes, his pants’ zipper was down, and he said he was drinking. The officer conducted multiple field tests, which Joseph failed.
In addition to his arrest, Joseph was issued a no contact order with the victim.
A discovery conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. May 11, 2026, followed by a pretrial conference at 1 p.m. Aug. 27, 2026. Porter County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Thode will oversee the proceedings.