police officer charged with assaulting his wife

AGAWAM - A 13-year member of the Agawam Police Department was arraigned on a domestic assault and battery charge Monday inWestfield District Court following his arrest for spousal abuse over the weekend at his Agawam home.
Paul Chenevert, 47, denied the charge at his arraignment. Judge Joseph Conant ordered him released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court in court on Dec. 20.
He was ordered to refrain making threats or physical violence against his wife, and was also ordered not to drink any alcohol. As part of the court order, he is to submit to periodic testing for alcohol use.
Police were called to Chenevert’s home just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday for a complaint made by his wife, who said her husband had assaulted her.
According to the report, the couple had been drinking over the course of the evening and were getting along fine, but at about 1 a.m. began to argue “about foolish husband and wife stuff.”
The arguing escalated to where Chenevert became very angry and dragged her through the kitchen, a carpeted room and out into the driveway, according to the report.
The report notes that she appeared to have abrasions on her left knee, her thighs and abdomen. She declined medical treatment at the scene.
It also notes that officers offered her the opportunity to apply for an emergency restraining order at the scene but she declined.
Chenevert has been a police officer in Agawam since 2000.
Lt. Richard Light Jr., acting chief for the department, said Chenever on Monday was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the outcome of the department's internal affairs investigation.
Light said he ordered the investigation on Monday and it should be completed by sometime next week.