Aragon mayor states in letter interim chief cleared of allegations

CEDARTOWN — In a letter dated a day after Marc Riley was promoted back into the position of interim Police Chief of Aragon’s department, the mayor wrote Riley had been cleared of a previous allegation of wrongdoing prior to his appointment.

Mayor Garry Baldwin’s letter dated Sept. 21 stated a review of allegations against Riley was completed because no civilian complaints had been lodged against the current interim chief.

“And due to a conversation with (Polk County Police Department) Chief Kenny Dodd on the main incident on Creekbank Road. I find these allegations without warrant,” Baldwin wrote in the letter.

Riley was placed on administrative leave for a time but had been cleared for normal duty at the time of the appointment, according to the city.

The mayor’s letter clearing Riley of any wrongdoing comes following allegations made by the former interim chief Alison Taulbee, who is now on administrative leave pending another investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Riley was voted by the council to take on the duties of interim chief after they voted to place Taulbee on administrative leave after a complaint was filed earlier that day.

The council stated in their motion they would remove Taulbee from command pending the completion of the investigation. They also stated they will revisit the matter at the Oct. 18 council meeting.