City puts top cop on leave

The Bainbridge Island Police Department has been hit with yet another high-ranking absence.

Police Commander Sue Shultz was placed on administrative leave Monday.

City officials have given little reason as to why the commander has been asked to take the leave, other than it is considered a personnel matter.

“It has to do with a complaint filed back in June or July (regarding Commander Shultz),” City Manager Doug Schulze said Tuesday.

“A report was just completed by an independent investigator,” he said. “This is the result of that report.”

Schulze will meet with the suspended commander on Nov. 29 to discuss their next steps.

“Once the commander has an opportunity to meet with me, it will give her an opportunity to share any information with me she thinks is appropriate or important to my decision-making,” Schulze said. “And I’ll take that into consideration along with the report for the next steps.”

Councilwoman Anne Blair confirmed that the city council has been apprised of the situation, but noted that the council has a “superficial understanding” about the reasons Schulze took action on the matter.

“Because it is a personnel decision, the city manager is the person-in-motion,” Blair said.

“Personnel matters are his responsibility and within his sole authority,” she said.

This is the second time in six months that a high-ranking police official has been placed on leave.

Former Police Chief Jon Fehlman was placed on administrative leave last summer. He resigned in good standing in September.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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