SOUTH NEW BERLIN – The Town of New Berlin’s Chief of Police has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest Thursday morning over allegations that he assaulted a 42-year-old man.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office said Friday its deputies had arrested New Berlin’s police chief, Richard P. Kellar, 43, of Norwich, at around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the hamlet of South New Berlin. Kellar was charged with third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, after he allegedly caused physical injury to another person.

Investigators said Kellar was not on duty at the time and have only identified the victim as a 42-year-old male.

Detective Sgt. Richard Cobb said the Sheriff’s Office could not comment on an ongoing investigation and directed questions to the District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Joseph McBride confirmed he had asked Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan to appoint a special prosecutor and asked for a change of venue.