GCSO officer on leave after assault arrest

EPHRATA — A jail corrections officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation following his off-duty arrest Wednesday by Soap Lake police on suspicion of domestic assault.

While not named initially, the sheriff’s office later confirmed the incident involved officer Nickolas Eiffert. In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it is not part of the police investigation because an employee is involved and the incident occurred within Soap Lake’s jurisdiction.

“The matter is being taken seriously and will be handled consistently with the law and agency policy,” the statement said. “The Grant County Sheriff’s Office does not tolerate domestic violence and remains committed to accountability and public trust.”

The sheriff’s office said Eiffert, who was hired in March of this year, has been placed on administrative leave while the police investigation is underway. Once completed by Soap Lake police, Grant County’s risk insurance pool, Clear Risk Solutions, will conduct an internal investigation on whether any agency policy was violated, said the sheriff’s office.

“We will provide updates on the outcome of the internal investigation,” the sheriff’s statement said.

Shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, Soap Lake police responded to a report of a physical domestic dispute in the 200 block of 11th Avenue N.W. Officers were told that Eiffert, 26, was involved in an argument with his girlfriend and allegedly grabbed and pushed the 24-year-old Ephrata woman, said police chief Pat Canady.

Eiffert was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). He was transported by Soap Lake police to the Chelan County Jail in Wenatchee for initial detention but the criminal charge has been filed in Grant County District Court.