St. Albans police chief relieved of duties
31.12.69
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- St. Albans Police Chief Brent Coates has been temporarily relieved of duty.
Capt. James Agee of the St. Albans Police Department said he was told Coates will be off duty for at least the rest of the week.
"I have been told that I am in charge of the department and am reporting to the mayor," Agee said. "Other than that I don't know anything."
St. Albans Mayor Dick Callaway would not comment on the police chief or his status on Wednesday. "All I can tell you is we have a personnel matter that is under investigation," Callaway said.
Coates could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
Several sources, including one city employee, said allegations of sexual harassment have been made against Coates by a co-worker.
Coates, who went to Poca High School, was hired in January to replace former St. Albans Police Chief Joe Crawford. Coates moved to Florida in 1983, where he joined the Florida Highway Patrol and was last employed as director of the Florida Highway Patrol Academy.
Source: Charleston Gazette