Perryville chief of police on leave after complaint - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

The City of Perryville is investigating a complaint from a member of the police department against the chief of police.

Earlier this month, a complaint was filed alleging that conduct by Chief of Police Keith Tarrillion went against his "official character and duty," according to the official press release from the City of Perryville.

The chief of police has been asked to take a leave of absence. He has done so, and is said to be fully cooperating with the investigation.

No assumption of wrongdoing has been made. There will be no conclusions drawn until the investigation is complete, according to the city.

Interim Lt. Direk Hunt has been asked to take over day-to-day operations for the department.

No details as far as what the complaint was are being released at this time.

All questions are being directed to City Attorney Thomas A. Ludwig.

Ludwig said the investigation should only take a couple of days to complete.

Chief Tarrillion released the following statement about the current investigation.

I have elected to take a leave of absence from my duties to allow an independent review of my department's handling of personnel issues. I welcome this review, because it will show that no wrongdoing has occurred.

At the conclusion of this review, I will return to my duties as your elected City Marshal. I have served the city and its residents in a professional and effective manner during my 10 years as chief, and I look forward to serving you in the days and years to come.

In the meantime, the citizens of Perryville can be assured that their police department will continue to serve them in the same professional, courteous and efficient manner as always. This personnel matter should not cast a shadow on the honorable men and women who wear our uniform. They are proud to serve our community, and we can all be proud of them.

Until this inquiry is complete, I will not comment further. The public nature of my job requires that any allegation of wrongdoing be thoroughly investigated and disproven in a transparent matter. No one respects this process more than an officer of the law. As you can imagine, however, this process has been difficult for my family, so I ask that you all keep them in your prayers.

Stay tuned on air and at kfvs12.com for more details as they're available.

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