SEEKONK — A Seekonk Police officer has been arrested and charged for domestic violence.

On Friday, April 27, Seekonk Police Chief Craig Mace was notified that a Seekonk Police officer had been reportedly involved in past domestic violence incidents. In a release, Chief Mace said he apprised the Bristol County District Attorney's Office of the allegations, as is protocol, and that two Massachusetts State Police detectives were assigned to investigate.

Mace said the accused officer, 38-year-old Gary Rushing, has been a member of the Seekonk Police Department for almost two years. Rushing was arrested by the state police detectives on Friday night.

"As always, we hold our officers to high standards and will conduct a full and thorough internal affairs investigation," Mace said, noting no Seekonk Police officers were involved in the arrest. "(Rushing) will be on administrative leave pending conclusion of the internal affairs investigation."

Mace said the ongoing internal affairs investigation and a pending criminal prosecution means he will be unable to coment further on the matter.

Gregg Miliote, spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, told WBSM News that Rushing was arraigned today in Taunton District Court on charges of assault and battery with serious bodily injury, strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery on a family or household member. He said Rushing was released on personal recognizance, with the condition that he abide by the restraining order taken out against him, have no contact with the victim and surrender all firearms.

Rushing is due back in court June 18 for a pretrial hearing. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office requested he be fitted with a GPS monitoring device as part of the terms of his bail, but the request was denied by the judge.

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