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Court records allege that during an argument, Collison “positioned himself over top of her, face to face� on a bed. After attempting to “kick him off,� she “choked Keith with two hands.�

He then head-butted her, “resulting in a bloodied nose,� court records state. He then allegedly flipped the mattress over, causing her to “roll out of the bed.�

Charging documents state Collison advised officers that “he was the aggressor.� Officers observed he had an abrasion on his neck and the woman had an injured nose stemming from the incident.

Collison was released on his own recognizance Tuesday. A trial date is set for June 9.

Sheriff Donnie Baker told ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Wednesday that Collison has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an administrative investigation.

Collison is one of three county officers assigned to patrol the town of Ridgely as part of a memorandum of understanding between Ridgely commissioners and county police. Ridgely has been without its own police department for more than a year, and the Sheriff’s Office has filled that gap through an MOU since last July.

Baker said the Sheriff’s Office will continue to fulfill the required hours of police coverage outlined in the MOU.

“To ensure no disruption of police services to the residents of Ridgely, the Sheriff’s Office is fully committed to providing all agreed upon law enforcement services to the town,� Baker wrote in a statement Thursday morning.