Crime & Safety

St. Pete Police Officer Battered His Wife While On Parental Leave: Officials

A St. Petersburg police officer on parental leave was arrested for the battery of his wife, according to Pinellas County court records.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Petersburg police officer on parental leave was arrested early Monday on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge, court records show.

Officer Curtis Wright, 43, was accused by his wife of grabbing her wrist as she tried to take their baby out of the crib on Sunday around 9 p.m., according to his arrest affidavit.

The arresting officer believed Wright was under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest, the report said.

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

During an interview with investigators, he admitted to grabbing his wife to stop her from removing the child from the crib, the affidavit said.

Wright was released on a $1,000 bond and ordered not to have any contact with his wife or child, court records show.

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

He was previously arrested in 2016 and accused of battery against a different woman after trying to force her to unlock her phone, court records show. He pleaded not guilty and the charges were dropped by the state attorney’s office.

Wright is on parental leave until March 6, the St. Petersburg Police Department said in a news release.

When he returns to work on March 7, he’ll be placed on an administrative assignment.

Once Wright’s court proceedings are completed, he’ll undergo an internal investigation through the Office of Professional Standards, police said.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.