Lieutenant

Police Update Charges Against New Haven Officer Involved in Standoff

A New Haven Police lieutenant has been formally charged in a domestic assault incident after holding his family hostage at their home on Thursday.

Police said 44-year-old Rahgue Tennant was charged on Saturday afternoon, though he's been in custody since Thursday evening.

Tennant is facing charges including assault, threatening, risk of injury to a minor and unlawful restraint.

The charges come after investigators learned Tennant assaulted his wife over the course of several days before unlawfully holding her and their children in their home.

Police were called to a barricaded person at a home at Tolli Terrace. Soon, officers learned the barricaded person was an 18 year veteran New Haven police lieutenant, later identified as Tennant.

The SWAT team and hostage negotiators were called in and mutual aid responded as backup to New Haven Police. Officers soon established communication by phone with Tennant. Police said he requested help and agreed to come out peacefully.

Police said, "though a peaceful resolution to the barricaded person incident was achieved, the on-going investigation has revealed a disturbing pattern of domestic abuse at the hands of Tennant."

“There is no special treatment of officers by this department when it comes to the commission of a crime," said Chief Anthony Campbell. “We have an obligation to the victims, an obligation to uphold the law and assure that the perpetrators of crimes are held accountable," said Campbell.

Tennant is suspended from the department, pending the outcome of the case, according to police.

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