By Associated Press - Thursday, May 19, 2016

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - A Sanford police lieutenant has resigned a month after a woman said he had punched and head-butted her while off-duty.

Sanford police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett said Thursday that Lt. Joseph Santiago had given his notice of resignation earlier this week. The resignation was made retroactive to last month.

The woman told detectives that the lieutenant struck her during a night of drinking at bars. He was arrested on a charge of domestic battery. Court records show he entered a plea of not guilty.

Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement that Santiago’s off-duty behavior didn’t comport with the standards of the police department.

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