Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Richard Wirth announced at an afternoon press conference on Monday, June 13, that he had placed Police Chief Christopher Cole on paid administrative leave while a full investigation is conducted into Cole's admission in a June 9 press release that he had sent lewd text messages while on duty.
Captain Michael Chowske will assume command of police chief during the investigation.
Wirth said there is no timeline for the investigation and that he will play a large role in it.
"I will do the appropriate thing. Whatever it takes, that's what I'll do," said Wirth.
Wirth said Cole stated he would "fully cooperate" with the investigation.
Asked why he decided to put Cole on paid leave, Wirth said that he was not going to take pay from anyone while he's conducting an investigation.
"I'll do the appropriate action after the investigation is completed," said Wirth.
Wirth said all options for possible disciplinary action are currently on the table including suspension, administrative leave and termination.
Wirth didn't have much comment on the investigative process going forward or his decision to place Cole on leave.
"I think it’s best for the individual, I think it’s best for the department and I had to act accordingly in my mind and that was a decision I made," said Wirth.....................>>>>.................>>>>........................http://www.spotlightnews.com/news/view_news.php?news_id=1307999413
Chief's 'sexting' pal tied to 2008 threats Records show woman threatened Schenectady cop in domestic dispute By Paul Nelson Staff writer Published 12:01 a.m., Thursday, June 16, 2011
The woman who swapped sexually explicit text messages with embattled Saratoga Springs Police Chief Christopher Cole threatened to get a Schenectady officer "in trouble with his job" during a 2008 domestic dispute three years ago, according to records provided by the Rotterdam Police Department.
The documents also say that the veteran city cop in July 2008 walked into the town police station to report that his then-live-in girlfriend Laurie Masi had "just started an argument with him, yelling and acting crazy."
The police write-up goes on to say that although the couple's residence belonged to the officer, he left so as not to "aggravate" the dispute in which she threatened to "get him in trouble with his job."
The now-47-year-old officer told town police he planned to go to his sister's house for a few hours until Masi calmed down. He did not press criminal charges, according to the records.....................>>>>..................>>>>..................Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/loca.....99.php#ixzz1PQwXxYua
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