CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston Police have started a criminal investigation -- in addition to the ongoing internal investigation -- into allegations of sexual harassment by a member of the department's Professional Standards Division, said Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster.

Capt. M.L. White is accused of harassing a woman and illegally checking license plate numbers of people associated with her, sources with knowledge of the investigation have said.

White's criminal investigation is being handled by Charleston Police Sgt. Eric Hodges. The investigation is independent and parallel to the internal investigation, Webster said.

Hodges said he's looking at the case like he would any other investigation. He said there would be no special treatment given to White even though he is a fellow officer.

"It's along the same lines of investigation we did into the alleged double-dipping. That was done by our department, too," Hodges said, referring to an investigation where several officers faced criminal charges after working private jobs while on the clock at the Police Department.

This is the first time Hodges has personally investigated another officer, "but it's not uncommon," he said.

Hodges said that criminal investigations into other officers are routine and professional.

"If it occurs in city limits, we can do it," he said.

White started with the Charleston Police Department in August 1979. He is one of four captains in the department, the highest civil service rank.

White has been on administrative leave since May. Webster said White was not in charge of the division.

His absence is leaving an abundance of casework behind, Webster said, so he has moved Sgt. Autumn Davis, the public information officer for the Criminal Investigation Division, to the professional standards unit.

Although Webster said he loved having Davis as a criminal detective, he moved her because "we want someone in professional standards that we know is going to do a good job."

"She is a person that we can really trust. We know she has a good reputation and we were looking for someone that would unquestioned do a good job," the chief said. He didn't know how long Davis would remain in the new position, or when the criminal or internal investigations into White would be complete.

Webster said the findings of the criminal investigation will be sent to the office of Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Plants.

Reach Kathryn Gregory at kathr...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5119.

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.