Fountain Police Chief Placed On Administrative Leave

FOUNTAIN – Fountain Police Chief Charles Crawford has been placed on administrative leave, but this isn’t the first time the city of Fountain has made headlines with a police chief controversy.

Crawford was the department’s third chief in five years when he was hired in April of 2005.

City Manager Scott Trainor is not releasing much information other than to say the situation is a personnel issue and that Chief Crawford isnot under a criminal investigation.

“The only thingI can say is, because it’s a personnel issue, i can’t say much,” says Trainor. “I know it’s unfortunate. A lot of people want to know information, but we have to protect the employee’s rights. He’s on paid administrative leave right now. There’s a process that we follow and that’s kind of where we are at this point.”

Trainor refused to speculate on a time table for when more information might become available.

Former Fountain Police Chief and currentState Senator John Morse says that just becasueChief Crawford was placed on administrative leave, does not necessarily mean any wrong-doing took place.

“It’s not uncommon when someone makes an allegation that someone is placed on administrative leave pending an investigation,” says Morse. “And then once the investigation is done, it’s not uncommon for that person to come back to work.”

Calls to Chief Crawford have not been returned.

Police Deputy Mike Burnetthas taken over Crawford’s job as police chief at this time.