HOLDEN, Maine — Town Manager Benjamin Breadmore said Thursday morning that Police Chief Gene Worcester was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this week.
“He’s on administrative leave concerning a personnel matter, and that is all I can say,” Breadmore said. “The administrative leave went into effect on Monday.”
Breadmore said Worcester, who has worked as an officer in town since 1987, is not under investigation.
“It’s an internal thing,” Breadmore said.
Worcester’s annual salary is $53,000 plus benefits.
Sgt. Chris Greeley stepped into Worcester’s post more than a month ago.
“I became the acting chief as of July 1,” Greeley said. “I’m not authorized to release any information [about why].”
Holden’s Town Council created the Holden Police Department on April 1, 2003 and named Worcester, who had worked as the town’s full-time officer for years, as chief. The d epartment has 11 employees, including the chief, and is short one part-time worker, Greeley said. A message left Thursday morning with Worcester seeking comment was not immediately returned.