N.O. cop Fired For Kicking And Punching Wife

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 33-year-old New Orleans police officer was kicked off the force after an internal probe found he had kicked and punched his wife two years ago.

The Police Department said Friday that Jeremy Smith was fired. Besides domestic abuse, Smith was accused of unprofessional conduct and lying during the investigation by the Public Integrity Bureau, a branch within the Police Department that probes police misconduct.

Investigators said Smith acknowledged striking his wife to one detective but later denied doing so and said he did not know how his wife got hurt in June 2010.

Smith was a six-year veteran at the department.

Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas said he would not tolerate "something as inexcusable as domestic battery."