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SANTA FE — A Santa Fe Police Department lieutenant was arrested on a domestic violence charge earlier this month, prompting the department to order him to have no contact with the public until the case is resolved.

Albuquerque police arrested Lt. Christopher McCord the morning of March 19 on a charge of aggravated battery against a household member.

According to the incident report, McCord’s wife alleged that they got into an argument the night of March 18, which turned physical when McCord shoved her against a television stand and began punching her repeatedly.

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His wife then said that she threw an iPad at McCord to defend herself, after which McCord allegedly grabbed her by the throat and hit her multiple times with the iPad, the report states.

In the report, McCord claimed his wife had initiated the fight and that he had not battered her.

APD Officer Tyler Gleason noted in the report that McCord’s wife had various bruises on her arm, neck and face. He wrote that, based on the extent of the injuries, he believed McCord attempted to choke his wife.

McCord was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center and was later released.

SFPD Deputy Chief Ben Valdez declined to answer questions Saturday, instead sending a written statement concerning McCord that stated the department learned of his arrest last week.

“Lieutenant McCord has been placed on alternate duty status and will have no contact with the public pending the resolution of the criminal proceeding and completion of an Internal Affairs investigation into the matter,” he wrote.

McCord serves in SFPD’s Internal Affairs Division. It is unclear if other members of the division have recused themselves from McCord’s investigation.

Details about any future court proceedings have not yet been posted on online court records.

McCord did not respond to requests for comment Saturday.