The estranged wife of Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher asked for a temporary restraining order against him Tuesday, claiming she “fears for her own physical safety” because of alleged “verbal and physical abuse.”

        The request for a restraining order, filed Tuesday afternoon in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court by attorney Robert G. Kelly of Norwood, asks that Chief Streicher be prohibited from entering the marital residence in Delhi Township.

Streicher

        Kathryn Streicher, in documents also seeking $4,500 to pay living expenses and tax liabilities, claims the chief stopped paying some of her bills this month after being virtually the sole family supporter during their nearly 25-year marriage.

        Mrs. Streicher says the couple stopped living together in May 2000.

        Neither the chief, Mrs. Streicher nor their attorneys could be reached late Tuesday.

        She did not file papers seeking a divorce, only requests for support and the temporary restraining order. In those, she alleged that Chief Streicher hit her in the face, threw her to the floor on numerous occasions and verbally abused her when he came home intoxicated.

        She says he made statements to her that “he is the chief of police of the City of Cincinnati, thereby granting him special status to abuse, threaten or harass” her.

        City Manager John Shirey called it a “civil matter between two individuals.”

        “She has not made any allegations with any authorities who would be obligated to investigate this,” he said.

        Mr. Shirey said he would look into the case.

        Mrs. Streicher's allegations surprised at least one council member, who described the chief as professional.

        “It's not in keeping with the professional I have worked with for two decades,” said Councilman Jim Tarbell. “I have not worked with a more careful or caring person.”

        Chief Streicher has been police chief since March 1999.

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