BRIDGEPORT — Police Officer Douglas Bepko, facing firing in the alleged assault on his girlfriend Nov. 3, is being charged with another violation of department policy.

After the assault arrest, Bepko was arrested a second time and charged with violating a protective order, sparking the latest departmental charge from Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood.

Norwood had asked the board to fire Bepko after the assault arrest, charging the 13-year veteran officer has had a number of civilian complaints filed against him in addition to his arrests over the course of his career.

The chief filed the latest charge in a letter, during a Tuesday meeting of the city's Board of Police Commissioners.

The protective order, stemming from the alleged assault, required Bepko to turn over all his guns, which he failed to do, police said.

"Therefore, he violated additional policies and procedures of the Bridgeport Police Department," Norwood wrote in the letter, which was read Tuesday by board Chairman Thomas L. Kanasky Jr.

The board then added the new charge to the list of alleged violations, both criminal and departmental, that Bepko faces.

Bepko's criminal charges of third-degree assault, second-degree threatening and second-degree unlawful restraint are pending.

He is free on $3,500 bond.

Bepko and other officers have been cleared in two earlier incidents of alleged excessive force.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.