Assault, harassment charges dismissed against BIPD sergeant

Published 1:30 am Monday, August 10, 2026

On Aug. 5, assault and harassment charges against Bainbridge Island Police Department sergeant Charles McCarty were dismissed in Oregon’s Clatsop Circuit Court as part of a case management hearing.

Previously, McCarty was initially charged with domestic violence, harassment and driving under the influence charges regarding an April 19 incident between McCarty and his girlfriend in Seaside, Oregon, where he allegedly pushed her onto the ground.

McCarty pled not guilty to all three charges, but later changed his plea to the DUI charge as “no contest,” and entered a diversion program. Portland-based defense attorney Conor Huseby, representing McCarty, said his diversion period for the DUI is one year and is set to expire June 4, 2027. A judge dismissed the assault and harassment charges during an Aug. 5 hearing. Additionally, a no-contact order with the alleged victim was also terminated.

BIPD police chief Joe Clark previously told the Bainbridge Island Review that McCarty has been on paid administrative leave since April 21 while an internal investigation is ongoing. He declined to provide an estimate on the completion of the internal investigation, stating it’s dependent on the seriousness and complexity of it, with the outcomes ranging from retraining to termination of employment.

The chief confirmed McCarty will remain in a “non-duty status” until the internal investigation is complete.

“The criminal investigation, conducted by the arresting agency, was focused on violations of law and adjudicated through the courts. The internal investigation is focused on employment issues; compliance with department policies and ability to perform the duties of the position. While the outcome of the criminal proceedings is a factor, it is not the only consideration. All internal investigations are completed regardless of the outcome of any criminal case,” Clark said.

McCarty previously worked at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy for roughly 17 years before transferring to BIPD in 2018. A BIPD Facebook post highlighting his promotion to corporal in 2021 stated that McCarty has served as a field training officer, marine officer, firearms instructor, Taser instructor, and patrol tactics instructor. He also provided instruction in active shooter response and women’s self-defense for the department.

Police report

At approximately 10:40 p.m. April 19, Seaside police responded to a disturbance call where a bystander said he saw a couple fighting and stated that he witnessed a man push a female subject down on the ground. Seaside police later located a man whom they determined to be McCarty and the woman, his girlfriend, per a police report obtained through a public records request. McCarty allegedly told officers that no physical altercation took place.

A police officer responded to the hotel the couple was staying at to speak with McCarty’s girlfriend. “I heard the elevator ding noise, and when it opened, I initially didn’t see anyone. I heard a female voice say something similar to ‘I won’t tell them you pushed me,’ per the incident report.

The officer stated in their report that text messages were reviewed between McCarty and his girlfriend, which the officer believed indicated McCarty pushed his girlfriend. The report says officers photographed scratches and abrasions on the woman’s knee, finger, and elbow. “I explained to McCarty’s girlfriend that I believed her injuries were consistent with those of Assault IV and, therefore, I was mandated to make an arrest,” the officer wrote in the report.