The fire chief in Melrose, Massachusetts, has been placed on leave due to a pending investigation, according to the city.
Officials confirmed an independent investigation will look into an alleged violation of city policy, but revealed no details about the nature of the allegations.
Fire Chief Ed Collina has been a firefighter in Melrose for 38 years, leading the department for the past six years. In fact, just last month he announced he would be retiring in April.
Last year, the NBC10 Boston Investigators spoke with Collina about the "deplorable conditions" at the city's fire houses and his push to bring the department into the 21st century.
In November, voters approved plans to renovate fire headquarters and build new fire houses for engines 2 and 3.
It's unclear what sparked this investigation, how long Collina is expected to be on leave and whether this will affect his planned retirement.
The city would only confirm that he was placed on leave as of March 15.
"The City of Melrose has engaged an outside law firm, Clifford & Kenny, LLP to conduct an independent Human Resources administration investigation into this matter," Lauren Grymek, chief of staff for Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis, said in as statement. "The City will have no further comment at this time as this involves a confidential personnel matter."
Grigoraitis refused to answer questions about which city policy the chief is accused of violating, but the NBC10 Boston Investigators obtained an email from her formally notifying the fire department that the chief is on leave and that John White will take over in the meantime.
"I recognize that it has been an unsettling few days and want to remind you all that free and confidential support is available through the employee assistance program," the email reads.
People in the city are wondering what's going on.
"I feel like the public should know why," Melrose resident Una Schneck told NBC10 Boston. "I feel like that's generally true for public-facing jobs and jobs that have consequences for the public."
"You don't hear of this in Melrose," said resident Deb Diraffaele. "I've lived here for 63 years almost, so it's just sad for everybody involved."
"I do think that people need to go through due process," said resident Eugenia Doherty. "I think we are too quick to condemn at the very beginning without the facts."
