Kauai mayor LIHUE >> Following four days of silence, Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka's office acknowledged yesterday that Police Chief George Freitas has been placed on administrative leave for 120 days while an investigation is conducted into a complaint against him.
clarifies top cop’s
work status
Police Chief Freitas has been
placed on administrative leaveBy Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.comIn a prepared statement, Kusaka said she acted on a unanimous recommendation from the Kauai Police Commission made last Friday.
The mayor also confirmed the complaint came from two police officers. Numerous sources have identified the two as an inspector and a lieutenant, two of the highest-ranking officers in the department.
The mayor said the Police Commission will hire a "neutral party" to investigate the complaint and report to the Police Commission. The commission will then conduct a closed-door hearing.
Under the Kauai County Charter, the police chief is hired by the Police Commission and can be fired only for improprieties and only after a hearing is conducted.
The nature of the allegations against Freitas remains a mystery to the public.
"A public statement will be issued at the conclusion of the case," Kusaka said.
Kauai County
