The Latest: Fairbanks places police chief on leave

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Latest on the conflict-of-interest investigation of the Fairbanks police chief: (all times local):

2:35 p.m.

The city of Fairbanks on Wednesday placed its police chief on administrative leave.

City human resources director Angela Foster-Snow says in a release the decision to put Chief Randall Aragon on leave is in response to an investigation of possible conflict-of-interest violations.

Former Chief Dan Hoffman called for the investigation in a letter to the Fairbanks City Council. Hoffman said he received a report from a business owner of “unethical activity” by Aragon.

The letter contends Aragon told the business owner that police could only do a brief assessment of her business after she reported property crime concerns. Aragon, listed as the sole proprietor of Certified Security Surveys, then allegedly offered to do a “more thorough job” himself for a fee.

Aragon tells the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (http://bit.ly/2divCQJ) that he’s been advised not to comment.

Deputy chief Brad Johnson will be acting chief in Aragon’s absence.

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12:02 a.m.

Fairbanks’ police chief is under investigation over allegations brought by a former chief that he used his position to promote his security business.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports (http://bit.ly/2divCQJ ) the city’s human resources director confirmed a personnel investigation into police Chief Randall Aragon was opened Monday.

Former Chief Dan Hoffman called for the probe in a letter to the City Council that said he received a report from a business owner of “unethical activity” by Aragon.

The letter alleges Aragon told the owner police could only do a brief assessment of her business after she reported property crime concerns. Aragon, listed as the sole proprietor of Certified Security Surveys, then allegedly offered to do a “more thorough job” himself for a fee.

Aragon says he’s been advised not to comment.

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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com