Aspen police chief placed on leave in sex harassment probe
Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News
Published October 12, 2007 at midnight
Aspen police Chief Loren Ryerson has been placed on paid administrative leave, the city manager confirmed Thursday. An Aspen newspaper reported that he is accused of harassing female officers.
City Manager Steve Barwick said he temporarily relieved Ryerson of his top post Oct. 3 then informed the City Council.
Barwick would not say why he placed the chief on leave and whether he has launched an investigation into Ryerson.
"It's a personnel matter, and that's all I'm going to say," he said.
However, the Aspen Daily News, citing sources who requested anonymity, reported an investigation was under way to look into allegations that Ryerson has been involved in a pattern of sexual harassment of female officers in the Aspen Police Department.
Ryerson could not be reached for comment tonight.
The city manager said he temporarily has assigned Assistant Chief Richard Pryor as the acting chief during Ryerson's absence. Pryor also could not be reached for comment.
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