Webster said that rank is set by civil service rules, but the chief can put whomever he wants in command of the various divisions.

"You want to fit people according to rank as much as possible," he said. "Regardless of rank, I make the placements of where everyone works. You try to do it commensurate with rank."

The investigation is being conducted by the division's two commanding officers, to keep from putting the division's investigators in a conflict, Webster said.

"They [the investigators] work together so closely, this looks to me to be more objective," he said.

Webster said it is routine to place officers on administrative leave while accusations against them are being investigated. There is a distinction to be made between officers placed on administrative leave and officers who have been suspended, he said.

Officers can be placed on administrative leave for a number of reasons. Officers are suspended only after they have been found guilty of wrongdoing, he said.

White could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

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

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Charleston Police captain with more than 30 years on the force has been placed on paid administrative leave, Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster said.

Capt. M.L. White of the professional standards division is accused of harassing a woman and illegally running license plate numbers of people associated with her, according to sources with knowledge of the investigation.

Webster said he could not confirm the details of the investigation but that it began May 4. White was placed on administrative leave May 26, he said.

"It's an active investigation, an ongoing investigation," Webster said this week.

White's career in the Charleston Police department started in August 1979. He is one of Charleston's four captains -- the highest civil service rank in the department.

But Webster said White was not in charge of the professional standards division.

"He is in an investigative role," Webster said of White. "He is not in command at all, though he does have more seniority. ...It's not unheard of to have captains as investigators."

Webster said that rank is set by civil service rules, but the chief can put whomever he wants in command of the various divisions.

"You want to fit people according to rank as much as possible," he said. "Regardless of rank, I make the placements of where everyone works. You try to do it commensurate with rank."

The investigation is being conducted by the division's two commanding officers, to keep from putting the division's investigators in a conflict, Webster said.

"They [the investigators] work together so closely, this looks to me to be more objective," he said.

Webster said it is routine to place officers on administrative leave while accusations against them are being investigated. There is a distinction to be made between officers placed on administrative leave and officers who have been suspended, he said.

Officers can be placed on administrative leave for a number of reasons. Officers are suspended only after they have been found guilty of wrongdoing, he said.

White could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

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