A Vancouver police officer appeared in Clark County District Court on Thursday in connection with a domestic violence assault case.
Gerardo Gutierrez, 43, of Vancouver was arraigned on fourth-degree domestic violence assault following an investigation by the Camas Police Department. Court records list Gutierrez’s wife and two adopted sons, ages 9 and 10, as the victims.
Gutierrez is accused in two separate incidents that occurred Jan. 1 and 2 at the family’s Vancouver home. His wife, who was reportedly growing concerned about his violent outbursts, spoke with Vancouver police Sunday, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in District Court.
She told police that Gutierrez keeps losing his temper and takes it out on their adopted sons, who suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, the affidavit said. She described several violent outbursts and said that afterward Gutierrez showers the boys with attention, outings and gifts, court records said.
One victim told police that Gutierrez has threatened to beat the boys “to a pulp,” according to court documents.
On Jan. 1, Gutierrez allegedly slapped one of the boys across the face while the family was playing a card game. His wife said the assault was unprovoked. The following morning, he allegedly threw the same boy to the ground. The other boy witnessed that attack and told his mother, the affidavit said. Gutierrez reportedly threatened to “shut” that boy up and said he would go through his wife if he had to, court records said.
The Vancouver Police Department asked Camas police on Tuesday to investigate. Gutierrez was subsequently arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail.
He was assigned as a school resource officer but was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday, according to Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp. There also will be an internal review conducted, Kapp said in an email. Gutierrez is an eight-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department and had previously been employed with the Los Angeles Police Department, according to Camas police.
On Thursday, Gutierrez entered a not-guilty plea to the gross misdemeanor and was released on his own recognizance. He is not to have contact with the victims.
He is next scheduled to be in court March 29.
