A 29-year-old Puna police officer charged with felony abuse and felony assault for allegedly choking his 36-year-old wife made his initial court appearance Wednesday.

Daniel R. Ulrich appeared on his own behalf and was referred to the public defender’s office. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 6 in Hilo.

A criminal complaint filed Wednesday alleges Ulrich assaulted and abused the woman by choking her sometime between Sunday and Monday.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald identified the woman as the officer’s wife.

She reported the assault to police while at the Hilo Medical Center, where she was treated for various injuries, including bruising to her throat, police said. She is no longer at the hospital.

Daniel Ulrich was charged Tuesday with one count of felony abuse and one count of misdemeanor abuse of a household member, and second-degree assault, a Class C felony. He was released that day on a $5,000 bond.

Hilo District Judge Kanani Laubach confirmed his bail amount Wednesday, allowing his continued release.

Ulrich’s arrest report remained sealed Thursday.

He was hired as a recruit on Feb. 16, 2018, and assigned to solo patrol duty in the Puna district on Jan. 1, the Hawaii County Police Department said. He was still in the police department’s 18-month probationary period for new hires when he was charged. He has been placed on leave without pay pending the completion of an administrative investigation.