An Indiana police officer was apprehended by his own department following allegations of using his authority and law enforcement resources to intimidate his ex-wife.

Nicholas Cauley, aged 38, was detained on July 18 and put on administrative leave by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Cauley faced charges of two counts of official misconduct by a public servant and one count of harassment utilizing a computer network or another form of electronic communication. Court documents indicate he posted a $10,000 bond on the same day he was admitted to the Marion County Adult Detention Center.

According to court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate WXIN, Cauley allegedly used his resources at the police department to harass his ex-wife, who filed for divorce in August 2024.

Cauley”s divorce was finalized in December 2024, per court records, and WXIN’s reporting on the court documents revealed an allegedly constant stream of communication and behavior that led to the nine-year veteran of the IMPD to have his police-issued equipment taken away and his law enforcement authority suspended.

According to a press release issued by the IMPD, Cauley’s ex-wife contacted her former husband’s employer on June 24 expressing “concerns” about his behavior. The department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) took over the case and found that Cauley “repeatedly contacted” his ex-wife after their divorce despite her constant requests for him to stop.

Cauley’s alleged harassment also reportedly employed his resources at the IMPD, including using his authority to track her license plate and find her new address. According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by WXIN, Cauley’s ex-wife told police that he did not know where she lived prior to tracking her license plate.

The officer also allegedly used his police vehicle to drive to his ex-wife’s office — while he was on duty. According to the probable cause affidavit, Cauley was dispatched to a vandalism call but was found to have driven to his ex-wife’s place of work instead. Cauley’s own computer-aided dispatch data gave away his true location, investigators say.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Cauley’s ex-wife blocked him from reaching her on her phone, but he reportedly persisted in trying to contact her. The documents stated that he left her messages on several social media platforms and dating sites. The affidavit also stated that Cauley allegedly made it harder for his ex-wife to access her own property and belongings in his attempts to make her speak to him.

In one instance, Cauley reportedly disposed of his ex-wife’s belongings in the woods. In another, he would not allow her to get items from the home they formerly shared.

Text messages that were included in the court documents revealed Cauley’s ex-wife saying she would contact the police. According to screenshots of one their text exchanges, Cauley told her, “[Q]uit being stupid saying you fear for your safety. I’m not going to lose my f—ing job over you.”

When she told him via text that she would “involved IMPD if my things are destroyed,” Cauley responded, “Dude, it’s a civil issue. They will tell you to get f—ed.”

Cauley also texted, “I committed no crimes.”

The affidavit stated that after Cauley’s ex-wife was able to block him on her phone, he allegedly began using his IMPD email account to continue to send her messages. One email from his work email account read, “Hi — is there anything I can do to improve your ex-husband experience? F— off and leave you alone forever or pretend you don’t exist if I see you in public? I have tried my hardest to leave you alone. I am sorry about the little one. Hope all is well.”

According to the affidavit, Cauley was contacted by the IMPD to provide a recorded statement. He opted to hire a private attorney to refuse the request.

The same day Cauley was arrested, a judge issued a no contact order forbidding Cauley from contacting his ex-wife. An order of protection against Cauley was also issued by the judge.

After his arrest, Cauley was placed on administrative leave and his police-issued equipment was confiscated by the department. His law enforcement authority was suspended.

The press release stated that IMPD detectives are still investigating the case and working alongside the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said, “The trust our community places in us is built on accountability and integrity. When any officer violates that trust, it’s our duty to act quickly and transparently.”