NORTH PORT — An internal investigation found a fired North Port police officer guilty of battery and false imprisonment during a physical altercation with his wife in December, but the same NPPD investigation showed that he was merely trying to calm the situation down by handcuffing her and leaving her in a bed.

Patrolman 1st Class Todd Choiniere, 32, was arrested by Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies Dec. 1 after they responded to the residence he shared with his wife, the victim, and their child.