The assistant police chief for the Arlington police force has been accused of domestic violence. The 54-year-old man, who has served on the force for 28 years, was arrested in the very early morning of Sunday, Nov. 17. He was eventually released on a bail of $1,500, but he is now being charged with assault involving bodily injury. The police force has put the man on administrative leave.
According to police reports, officers were called to the man’s home at around 1:00 a.m. There had apparently been a physical altercation between the man and his wife. The wife’s injuries were described as simply “swelling/redness,” as much of the incident report has been redacted. It is clear, however, that officers determined the assistant police chief intentionally caused the injuries to his wife by using his fist, hands and feet. Police also seized a revolver holding five rounds that had not been fired. A magistrate has since ordered an emergency 61-day protective order.
The Arlington police chief stated that the force is committed to holding an impartial and fair investigation into the incident. The case is expected to be presented to the district attorney of Tarrant County in the coming weeks. The man is one of three assistant chiefs on the Arlington police force, and he served as the spokesperson for the department for many years. He has also been considered for the job of police chief. His wife is a principal at an Arlington junior high school.
This particular domestic violence incident also contains an element of irony. On the day leading up to the assault, the assistant police chief had joined other police officers in a walk known as Take a Stand/Break the Silence, which helped to raise money for organizations that aide domestic violence victims. Unfortunately, domestic disputes that turn physical can sometimes involve people that would never be suspected of committing such acts.
Source: star-telegram.com, “Documents: Arlington assistant police chief assaulted his wife” Deanna Boyd, Nov. 19, 2013
