New Haven Cop Faces North Branford Domestic Violence Charges: PD

NEW HAVEN, CT —A New Haven police officer charged with domestic violence has been placed on leave, police said.

A seven-year veteran of the New Haven Police Department, Ruben Parra, faces family violence charges including second-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree assault and third-degree strangulation in connection with an incident in North Branford, according to police spokesperson Scott Shumway.

Tuesday, the North Branford Police Department presented the case to the State’s Attorney’s office and it was determined that probable cause existed to obtain a domestic violence warrant., Shumway said. The New Haven police department's Internal Affairs Division were alerted to the "potential off duty criminal actions" allegedly committed by Parra.

Parra turned himself into North Branford police Friday, Shumway said, adding he was given a $5,000 court-set bail.

Friday, New Haven Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez put Parra on administrative leave, Shumway said.

Parra, hired in 2014, is currently assigned to the patrol division.

A parallel administrative investigation is currently being conducted into Parra’s conduct by the New Haven Police Department Internal Affairs Division, Shumway said.