A Salem police officer who is the husband of the city’s police chief was arrested by state troopers Tuesday afternoon on rape and indecent assault and battery charges, prosecutors said.
Officer Brian Butler, 56, was booked at the State Police barracks in Danvers, and bail was set at $25,000, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett’s office.
Butler is married to Salem Police Chief Mary Butler.
Attempts to reach the Butlers for comment were unsuccessful on Tuesday night, and it was not clear if Brian Butler had hired an attorney.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Salem District Court.
Blodgett’s spokeswoman, Carrie Kimball Monahan, said Butler’s alleged victim is an adult but declined to provide additional details, including when the incident took place or whether the accuser is known to the officer.
A Salem police spokesman did not respond to inquiries seeking comment.
Kimball Monahan said additional information will be disclosed at Butler’s arraignment.
Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
In an e-mail to the City Council that was obtained by the Globe, Driscoll said she was writing to alert councilors to “a serious situation we are dealing with involving the Salem Police Department.”
She said Brian Butler “has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of serious misconduct that has been turned over to” prosecutors. “I cannot share any additional information at this time, but wanted to advise you of this matter.”
City Councilor Thomas H. Furey declined to comment on the investigation.
He said during a brief phone interview that he taught Catholic education classes to the Butlers’ children, and he described the chief and the patrolman as a “marvelous couple.”
“They’re very involved, very loving, and very caring parents,” he said. “I hope the best for the family.”
Another councilor, Josh H. Turiel, declined to discuss the case but said the city has “a very professional department, and I’m sure everything’s going to be handled the right way.”
Additional councilors either could not be reached or declined to comment.
Butler had not posted bail as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, a State Police spokesman said.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.