Valley police chief put on leave

A year after being named police chief in Valley, Michael Taylor is on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation into allegations in the department.

City Administrator Tim Bryan said Tuesday he and Mayor Arnold Leak received a complaint late Friday and more allegations during the weekend regarding actions that may or may not have occurred in the Valley Police Department.

Bryan did not specify the nature of the allegations. Nor would he say why they felt immediate city council action was needed.

Leak was not available for comment Tuesday.

The city council agreed in executive session Tuesday after its regular meeting to put Taylor on leave and appoint Bryan as acting chief, a position he held for several months before Taylor was hired last year.

The council would have met Monday, but the city observed it as a holiday.

“Obviously, we take any complaint we receive seriously,” Bryan said, also declining to comment on the type or seriousness of the allegations.

Taylor answered his city-issued cell phone Tuesday night, but would not comment on the council’s action or the allegations in the police department.

Bryan said an outside investigator will conduct the inquiry. He said they hoped it would be completed as soon as possible, “in the interest of the city.”

While Bryan is acting chief, he said Lt. Frank Montroy will assume the role of acting deputy chief of police and will handle day-to-day operations.