Associated Press Associated Press ADVERTISING LIHUE, Kauai — Kauai’s police chief is back on the job after the mayor placed him on leave last month while the county investigated an employee complaint. Police Chief Darryl Perry appeared at a press
Associated Press
LIHUE, Kauai — Kauai’s police chief is back on the job after the mayor placed him on leave last month while the county investigated an employee complaint.
Police Chief Darryl Perry appeared at a press conference Monday where Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced he had been brought back from leave.
“Discussion among our administration, our legal team, the leadership of the police commission and the chief himself have helped us to arrive at this decision, where we are confident that the chief can provide the leadership for this organization while the investigation into an employee complaint is conducted with integrity to its conclusion,” Carvalho said.
Perry and Carvalho had been at odds over whether the mayor had authority to place the chief on leave. Perry maintained only the police commission could do so, but Carvalho said he firmly believed he has that authority.
“On the authority matter, it’s important that we work through these issues so that future chiefs, commissioners and mayors will have the process clarified,” Perry said.
Commissioners had voted that Perry could return to work but the mayor and county attorney wouldn’t allow him access to equipment, including his badge and gun. A Kauai County Charter Review Commission meeting two weeks ago that was expected to explore whether Carvalho has the authority to place the chief on leave was canceled due to a lack of quorum.
Perry has said he was suspended from Feb. 1 until Feb. 7 “for insubordination and dereliction of duty.” He said he was then placed on paid leave starting Feb. 8.
