WOOD COUNTY, Ohio — Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comment from Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
A Toledo Police officer was indicted by a Wood County Grand Jury for rape on Wednesday.
On Aug. 16, TPD was notified by Northwood Police that they were investigating an alleged sexual assault involving Toledo police officer Raul Jaso.
According to a Northwood Police report, the alleged rape happened at Jaso's residence.
Wood County Court records said Jaso, "did engage in sexual conduct with another when Raul Alex Jaso purposely compelled her to submit by force or threat of force."
After being told of the investigation, TPD conducted an internal investigation and relieved Officer Jaso of duty without pay, pending the outcome of the case against him.
"Upon notification of the investigation concerning Officer Jaso, immediate actions were taken to relieve him of his regular duties pending the outcome of both the criminal and internal investigations. It is important to remember that, as with anyone who has been accused of a crime, Officer Jaso has the right to due process of law,” said Toledo Chief of Police Michael Troendle.
Jaso has been with the Toledo Police Department for six years and was regularly assigned to field operations, according to TPD.
He is due in Wood County Common Pleas court on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz sat down with WTOL 11 for a discussion in the weekly Leading Edge program. One of the topics touched on was Jaso's indictment.
Kapszukiewicz said he was made aware of the issue earlier in the week. When asked how TPD and the city of Toledo deal with the fallout of an officer committing an alleged sexual assault, he said "there's nothing about this that's positive."
"There's nothing about this for the officer who's being accused, there's nothing positive for the city, there's nothing positive that has happened in the life of the alleged victim," the mayor said. "Something is broken here. Something terrible has happened one way or another, even if it is a false accusation."
Kapszukiewicz also noted that a sexual assault accusation against law enforcement can damage TPD's relationship with the public, something Troendle promised to strengthen when he was appointed to the position of police chief in March 2023.
"The best thing we can do, in order to continue to enjoy the trust of the citizens we serve, is set up a process where this individual no longer in a position of authority over the citizens, this case as a police officer, until this matter is resolved," Kapszukiewicz said.
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