Columbus Police Department officer arrested for domestic violence, residential burglary

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus police officer remained in jail Monday morning on charges of domestic violence.

Lowndes County Sheriff Greg Wright confirmed his department arrested a CPD officer Sunday night.

Melvin Shirley Jr. was booked into the Oktibbeha County Jail about 9:55 p.m.

When a law enforcement officer is charged with a crime, the common practice is to move that person out of their area of jurisdiction.

He was also charged with residential burglary.

Shirley was apparently on-duty at the time.

City of Columbus spokesman Joe Dillon said Police Chief Fred Shelton will request placing Shirley on administrative leave.

But since it is a personnel matter, the city has no further comment.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.