MERRILLVILLE | A disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for Merrillville police officer Daniel Venegas, who was previously charged with battering his wife.

Thomas Vanes, a Merrillville attorney representing Venegas, said the disciplinary charges were filed Aug. 12 and the hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 5 during a Merrillville Police Commission meeting at Town Hall, 7820 Broadway.

Neither Vanes nor Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch could confirm if the disciplinary charges are related to Venegas being charged with battering his wife slightly more than a month ago.

Venegas was placed on administrative leave without pay after he was charged with a felony count of strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery with injury in Porter County, according to police.

Anyone convicted of domestic battery is prohibited by federal law from having a firearm -- so a battery conviction for Venegas could result in the end of his career in law enforcement.

When the charges were filed last month, Petruch said the Merrillville Police Department was conducting an internal investigation.

Venegas has been with the department since Feb. 27, 2007, and currently serves as a patrolman.