Pilot Mountain Chief of Police placed on leave pending an investigation

The Pilot Mountain police chief has been placed on leave pending an investigation. 

A release issued by the town Tuesday said Chief of Police Robbie Jackson had been placed on leave with pay “as the town investigates the Pilot Mountain Police Department.” 

A spokesperson for an outside communications firm hired by the town said that the suspension took effect on November 1, after a meeting between the police chief and the town manager. 

The spokesperson confirmed that the State Bureau of Investigation is running a criminal investigation and that the town has hired an investigative consulting group to run its own probe into the police department. 

The exact nature of the investigation has not been released. The town has tapped former detective Adrian Tillotson to serve as interim chief in Jackson’s absence. The length of Jackson’s leave has not been announced.