A Lake Milton Police officer has been placed on leave from the force after being charged with domestic violence.

Corporal Michael Saltsman is free on $2,500 bond as Austintown police investigate allegations that he struck and knocked down is wife during an argument at their Washington Square apartment on on Wednesday.

40-year-old Colleen Saltsman told police that she was knocked to the ground when her husband allegedly punched her in the face. A neighbor says that the wife was later forced to the ground again by her 50-year old husband.

Police observed blood coming from an injury near the alleged victims eye.

Saltsman, who told investigating officers that he didn't hit his wife, is scheduled for arraignment on Monday in county court.

Saltsman is the former Lake Milton Police chief. But trustees demoted him to corporal in 2013, saying they were looking for a change in leadership.