By Elizabeth Dinan
PORTSMOUTH — Charged
with a domestic violence-related count of simple assault, retired police
detective Stephen Arnold petitioned the local court to lift bail conditions
barring him from going to his home.
In a court motion,
Arnold cites economic hardships brought on by the bail conditions, as well as a
career of "loyally serving the citizens of Portsmouth."
Arnold, 49, a resident
of 114 Colonial Drive, was arrested Dec. 22 on a misdemeanor charge that
alleges he knowingly caused unprivileged contact to a woman who is known to him
by slapping her "in the face."
A retired Portsmouth
police detective, now working as legislative director for the N.H. Police
Benevolent Association, Arnold's bail conditions bar him from having contact
with the alleged victim and from going home. Through Portsmouth attorney Justin
Nadeau, Arnold wrote to the court, in a sworn motion, that he "vehemently
denies and intends to vigorously defend" the assault allegation.
In his court motion,
Arnold describes himself as "the primary financial supporter of his
family" who needs access to his home office to run his snow plowing and
private investigation businesses, as well as to work for the statewide police
association. Arnold also reported in his motion that he's "only had access
to the clothes that he was wearing on the evening of the alleged incident, as
well as a few of his personal belongings."
While seeking
modifications to his bail conditions, Arnold also tells the court he was a
Portsmouth police officer for almost 23 years, during which he was awarded two
congressional medals of honor and raised "hundreds of thousands of
dollars" for a program that provides financial assistance to law
enforcement families facing economic hardship due to cancer.
"For the foregoing
reasons, the least of which are the countless years of loyal and dedicated
service he has selflessly given to his local community and the state of New
Hampshire in fighting crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe," Arnold's
motion states, he should be granted a hearing to contest bail conditions so he
can return home.
Portsmouth police have
transferred the case to the Rockingham County Attorney's office, citing a need
to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Arnold previously told
the Portsmouth Herald his arrest was based on a "total
misunderstanding" and "never should've happened." On Tuesday he
said he's been advised not to comment.
Following his arrest,
Arnold was released on $750 personal recognizance bail; he is scheduled to be
arraigned Jan. 27 in Portsmouth Circuit Court. Arnold's motion to review bail
conditions is also expected to be heard at that same time.
