In a court hearing Tuesday morning, retired Cranston Police Chief Marco Palombo Jr. pled not guilty on misdemeanor charges of domestic assault/battery and domestic disorderly conduct.

Judge Mary McCaffrey heard the plea from Palombo and his attorney Richard Ratcliffe at Third District Court, deciding that Palombo would be released on a $1,000 personal recognizance. 

McCaffrey also issued a no contact order until his next court date, which has not been set yet.  Palombo cannot be in any kind of contact with his wife or daughter until then, including talking, texting, calling, or any other type of communication.

The former Chief allegedly struck his wife in the face/neck area on the night of Nov. 30, according to police reports, and a witness told officers that it wasn’t the first time issues had happened at the Palombo residence.

Both Palombo’s wife and daughter were involved in the incident, although his wife was the victim of the alleged domestic assault.

Palombo was issued a no contact order by the police at the time, and that will now continue until his next court date, and perhaps after.

Palombo didn’t stop outside the courthouse to speak to the waiting television cameras and reporters, but did say a few words as they followed him to his car, stating that he had “let down his family” and “I love my wife, I love my family.”