Cop arrested for threatening ex-wife

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- State police have arrested a Barrington police officer for engaging in threats to family members.

Sgt. Joseph Andreozzi, 45, pleaded not guilty in court Thursday to a charge of domestic disorderly conduct.

According to police, the officer and his ex-wife were having an argument over the phone at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday when he verbally threatened her. She alerted Barrington police and left her home, where Andreozzi showed up a short time later, presumably to confront her.

There was no physical altercation to the knowledge of state police, who were called in for reasons of impartiality.

State troopers arrested Andreozzi at midnight when he arrived for his shift at the Barrington Police Department. He was transported to the Lincoln Barracks and held overnight.

A criminal complaint says that he "intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly engaged in threatening, violent, and tumultuous behavior." One trooper added that the threats were extended to his two children, aged 13 and 14.

Sgt. Andreozzi was released following his arraignment, and he was ordered not to have contact with his ex-wife or children.