BELLEVILLE—The shocking news that Belleville’s police chief says she is the victim of domestic violence has this small city abuzz with talk about what was behind the attack in her home last week.

“Oh yeah, everyone’s talking about it,” confided a waitress in a local eatery following Tuesday’s revelation by Chief Cory McMullan that she was the “unnamed victim” in a domestic incident that reportedly left her with a broken arm.

While victims in such situations aren’t usually identified, McMullan said in an email to the media that given her position in the community, “it is important to acknowledge that I am the victim.”

Without going into specifics, she said, “I do wish to let the citizens of Belleville know that the incident did result in injuries which required medical treatment.”

Her husband David McMullan, a 53-year-old retired police officer, has been charged with assault and released on a promise to appear in court Sept. 30. The couple has two teenaged children.

Residents in this city of 50,000 were busy trading tales on Wednesday about what triggered the incident last Friday.

Mayor Neil Ellis lashed out at those who would spread “gossip and innuendo.”

“We have a victim who needs community support and that’s where this should be going,” he said during an interview in his office.

Gossip is common in any politician’s life, he said. “I don’t pay attention to rumours.”

Surrounded by pictures and mementoes of his wife and three children, Ellis said he doesn’t know McMullan well and only “as the chief of police.” The 24-year policing veteran has held the position for just over a year.

“It is shocking,” he said of the attack. “No one can really make sense of any type of abuse, especially if it causes physical injury. This shows it can happen in any household.”

“The important thing here,” he added, “is Cory, er, the chief and the chief’s family. We have to support her and stand behind her.”

McMullan also referred to rumours in her statement to the media.

“The impact of physical violence as well as emotional abuse in domestic incidents, including unfounded allegations and rumours that further traumatize victims and their families, is well documented,” she said, asking for privacy “while my family and I work our way through this extremely difficult time.”

In downtown restaurants and pubs near City Hall, employees were quick to say “no comment” when asked for their thoughts on the police chief as a victim of domestic violence.

But a customer enjoying a mid-afternoon beverage offered a “good for her” for coming forward.

“When things escalate between a man and a woman, it doesn’t matter who you are,” said Sonya Vos, a Madoc resident and regular visitor to Belleville. “Maybe it was the last straw. Maybe she said, ‘I’m not going to take it any more, I’m going to tell everyone.’ ”

McMullan “had a gun,” Vos pointed out. “It was good discipline on her part not to use it.”

Bartender Katrina Eagleton said the domestic violence incident was a “big deal” because McMullan is a member of the police service.

“Being a victim of abuse and coming forward makes her a stronger person,” she said.

At the marina, a yachtsman said he wasn’t surprised McMullan spoke up.

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“There were so many rumours going around, I think she had to.”

McMullan has indicated she will stay in her post, saying she will continue to be dedicated and committed as Belleville’s chief of police.

When contacted by phone on Wednesday, the chief said she could not comment.