Police Chief Montgomery on paid administrative leave

Firestone Police Chief David Montgomery is on paid administrative leave during an investigation into “allegations of misconduct,” although town officials are providing no details about what’s being investigated.

Mayor Bobbi Sindelar and Town Board members publicly noted the investigation this week.

In this week’s statement, the mayor and Town Board of Trustees said: “In response to allegations of misconduct and in accordance with Town of Firestone policy, Police Chief David Montgomery was placed on paid administrative leave on Feb. 17, 2021, so that an investigation could be conducted. That investigation is underway.”

However, the mayor and board did not say in their message what prompted the investigation. They said it’s being conducted by “an independent third party” but did not identify that party.

“Given the ongoing status of the investigation and the fact that this is a personnel matter, the Board of Trustees cannot comment further on any aspect regarding Chief Montgomery’s status,” the mayor and board members wrote.

“The Board of Trustees wants to thank everyone that supports Chief Montgomery. We all have a deep admiration and appreciation for him and his service to the Town,” the mayor and trustees said in their statement.

“Please don’t mistake our required silence as a lack of support. We are simply unable to comment on an ongoing investigation. Thank you to all those who support Chief Montgomery. We are truly hoping for the best possible outcome.”

Town Manager A.J. Krieger said in a Thursday evening email that “there’s very little about which I can comment.”

Krieger repeated the message from the mayor and the trustees.

The town manager also said Thursday that “given the status of the investigation and the fact that this is a personnel matter, I cannot comment further on any aspect regarding Chief Montgomery’s status.”

Krieger said, “Command staff in the Police Department is managing the department’s daily operations. The men and women of the Firestone Police Department continue to serve our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

KDVR-TV reported March 18 that Krieger had said in an email to the chief that Montgomery had to turn in his town identification cards, access badges, key fobs and his town-issued cellphone during the investigation and would not be allowed to access town buildings, including the police department, without Krieger’s permission.

The mayor and town trustees did not respond Thursday to emails requesting information.

Montgomery, who has been Firestone’s police chief for about 22 years, could not be reached for comment.