Mount Rainier, MD (WUSA9) — Seven of Mount Rainier's 21 police department employees, including the chief, are under investigation and have been placed on administrative leave, but town officials won't disclose the nature of the investigation.
With one-third of the department on leave on Tuesday, the administrative offices of the Mount Rainier police department were closed while the remaining officers are assigned to street patrols, which are not affected by the crisis, according to town officials.
After a nearly three hour meeting inside Mt. Rainier City Hall on Tuesday night, Mayor Malinda Miles emerged to answer questions about her police department.
While she would not comment on the nature of the investigation, she said seven members were placed on leave, including the acting police chief, two weeks ago “on the advice from council.”
When asked if residents should by concerned about the future of the police department she said, “the police department is fine. We have no problems…I have full confidence in my police department.”
WUSA9’s Delia Gonçalves asked if she had confidence in her acting chief she paused and replied, “I have confidence in my staff.”
The mayor did say she expects some employees to return to work “in a week’s time” but the investigation will still be ongoing and “we want to see it to its completion.”
One patrol officer is off the streets and police officers from neighboring towns are filling in the gap.
Residents should pay their parking tickets online because the administration office remains closed.
According to a memo released late Monday, the Maryland State Prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation of individuals in the police department.
The Maryland State Prosecutor typically handles allegations of public corruption.
"Our staff cannot speak to the substance of the investigations," the memo said. "We hope to issue a statement to the community with more details once all the investigations are complete, but that will take some time."
According to the memo, neighboring jurisdictions can be called on to assist with police calls if needed and public safety is not affected.
