4 PAPD officers on paid leave

Published 3:34 pm Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Several Port Arthur Police Department officers are on paid administrative leave pending results of an administrative investigation.

“This is standard procedure for personnel actions of this nature,” Risa Carpenter, the city’s public information officer, said in a press release. “The Port Arthur Police Chief is committed to leading a professional department and ensuring his officers uphold the highest standards.”

Port Arthur Police Chief Patrick Melvin said, prior to the release of the statement by Carpenter, that the officers in question are not suspended and that an administrative investigation is ongoing. A suspension usually occurs after discipline is deployed, he said.

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A representative of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office said he is not aware of PAPD’s investigation.

The officers under investigation include two deputy chiefs and two other officers.