SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office on Thursday charged Wichita Police Department officer Andrew Barnett with one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of disorderly conduct, according to police department spokesman Officer Trevor Macy.
The charges involved two separate incidents that occurred in 2021. The first incident occurred on May 14, when Barnett was accused of battery against a prisoner.
At that time, he was moved to an administrative assignment within the department pending the outcome of the investigation, which was conducted by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office to avoid conflicts of interest.
On December 2, Wichita police officials learned of another incident involving Barnett while off-duty at the Eisenhower National Airport. The Airport Police Department investigated that incident.
Barnett has been with the Wichita Police Department for five years and has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.