Sandy Police Chief Kevin Thacker has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, the city announced Wednesday evening.
The news release from the city did not say what Thacker may be suspected of. It said he would be paid while on leave.
Sgt. Jason Nielsen, spokesman for Sandy police, said Thacker was placed on administrative leave Monday. He said he did not know when the internal investigation was opened, and would not release information about whether the investigation is looking into suspected criminal activity or a violation of city policy.
Councilman Steve Fairbanks said Thursday that the council was told about the investigation Monday night. He said he believes Mayor Kurt Bradburn is the one who placed Thacker on leave.
Nielsen said Sandy police are not conducting the investigation. He declined to say what body is, and if the investigating agency is law enforcement. Fairbanks said he believed a law firm was conducting the investigation.
Fairbanks didn’t know what the investigation was about, but said it was because of some sort of complaint about Thacker.
The Salt Lake Tribune has reached out to Bradburn and the entire city council.
Councilwoman Brooke Christensen declined to comment on the matter. No other council members responded.
Nielsen said no additional information will be released until the investigation is complete. There is no timetable for the investigation.
Thacker has been an officer with Sandy police since 1983, according to past Tribune reporting. He became chief in 2014.
