A deputy chief with the Salt Lake City Police Department has been put on administrative leave amid an internal investigation.
The department on Thursday confirmed that Deputy Chief Krista Dunn was on leave, although Detective Veronica Montoya could not say what day Dunn's leave began. Dunn's promotion in 2013 marked the first time in department history that a civilian was given an upper leadership position on the police force.
"The police department takes allegations of misconduct very seriously," interim Police Chief Mike Brown said in a written statement. "And consistent with the department's established administrative practices regarding this type of allegation, she has been placed on leave pending the conclusion of the investigation."
No further details were immediately available.
Dunn, a 14-year employee of the department but not a sworn officer, oversaw the agency's budgets, grants and finances. Dunn worked to secure important grants to the department, including one that led to the Crisis Intervention Team, a program that trains officers how to respond to mental health related incidents.
Meanwhile, an FBI investigation continues into the police department's relationship with two connected nonprofits, the Salt Lake City Police Foundation (SLCPF) and the Salt Lake City Police Mutual Aid Association (PMAA). It is unknown whether Dunn's leave has any connection to the FBI investigation.
That investigation has been ongoing for some time, according to a July 17 letter Brown delivered to the two groups. Brown suspended all of his department's involvement with both groups' activities in light of the investigation.
mmcfall@sltrib.com
Twitter: @MikeyPanda
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible