Piqua Police officer facing assault charge, placed on leave by department

A Piqua Police officer is on paid administrative leave after a reported assault in Miami County.

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The City of Piqua confirmed Officer Tyler Kelch, 25, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal investigation and an internal affairs investigation of an incident from May 10.

The incident happened in Troy when Kelch was off-duty.

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While the city would not confirm the nature of the incident, Kelch was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct in Miami County Municipal Court just days after the incident.

In a police report obtained by News Center 7, Troy officers wrote that Kelch and another man, Kraig Hemmert, got into a physical fight near Agave & Rye.

Witness statements said the fight stemmed from an incident inside the Submarine House.

Hemmert has also been charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct.

Kelch has been with the department since September 2023.

Both men are expected to be back in court this week.

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