KINGMAN, Kan. (AP) _ The Kingman police chief is facing charges in an alleged altercation with his girlfriend.

Police Chief John Braden is charged with felony criminal threat and misdemeanor counts of criminal restraint and battery. Braden appeared in court yesterday and is free on $10,000 bond.

City Manager Frank Soukup said he likely will decide next week whether to keep Braden on paid administrative leave or take other action.

Police arrested Braden April 26 after responding to a disturbance call at his Kingman home. He is accused of battering his longtime girlfriend, and at one point she managed to get his pistol and fire a shot, officials said. Nobody was injured.

Soukup said townspeople see the situation as an isolated incident that doesn't reflect on the police department.