Police Chief Mark Chase is back on the job in Junction City following a six month administrative leave. It was prompted by complaints within his Department, including low morale. The Department remains unsettled.
City Administrator Melissa Bowers says the leave sought to protect an investigative process launched by the Junction City Council and based on formal police officer complaints.
Bowers: “At this point the investigation process is concluded, and Mark Chase has returned to work.”
Chief Chase’s tenure continues to be tenuous, however. Bowers says the Chief still faces an ongoing personnel matter which she says she is not free to discuss. Brian Patterson, president of the Junction City Police Officers Association, comments on Chief Chase’s return:
Patterson: “The Association is very disappointed with his return. His original leave was on the heels of numerous complaints. Those complaints, as far as I know, have not yet been addressed.”
Patterson says one officer of the seven-member force left the Department Monday. Others have threatened to leave.