A veteran Tucson police officer indicted on several domestic-violence-related charges was terminated from the force Wednesday.
A Tucson Police Department board voted unanimously Wednesday to fire Officer Michelle Preiss, a 16-year veteran.
The termination is effective immediately, said police Capt. Michael Gillooly.
Preiss was indicted on three felony domestic-violence charges, including the use of a firearm to assault a minor, according to court records.
Preiss is charged with assaulting a man, a woman and a minor younger than 15 years old on Jan. 3, 2009, court records said.
The incident happened while Preiss was off-duty. Tucson police have been investigating Preiss since Aug. 6, when officers learned of the incident, police said.
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The teen in the case is a member of Preiss' immediate family, Gillooly said.
If the officer is found not guilty of the criminal charges, Preiss can appeal the termination, he said.
The officer could not be reached for comment after the hearing, which was held at police headquarters.
Her attorney, Mike Storie, said the officer's firing was not a surprise because it's department policy to dismiss officers who are charged with felonies.
However, he said he expects Preiss to be acquitted of the charges, which would allow his client to appeal the firing or be rehired, he said.
Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or call 573-4115.
