Police and town officials aren't saying specifically why, but a Marion Police sergeant has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Bristol County District Attorney's office.

Jeffrey Tripp, one of two sergeants on the 15-member full-time town police force, was placed on paid administrative leave related to his duties as a police officer.

“The Marion Police Department has been made aware of a multi-jurisdictional investigation in Bristol County that may impact a member of this department and his conduct related to the performance of his duties as a Marion Police Officer," said Marion Police Chief John Garcia and Marion Town Administrator Paul Dawson in a joint statement.

In a communication separate from the joint statement, Dawson said Tripp will earn his weekly $1,660 salary until the conclusion of the investigation.Tripp joined the department in March of 2001, Dawson said.

In their written statement, Garcia and Dawson said that Tripp is not the target of the investigation, but that information received by Garcia led the police chief to place Tripp on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation  -- and an internal investigation and review of the facts and circumstances by the Marion Police Department.

The initial investigation is being conducted by a Bristol County law enforcement task force and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The Town of Marion is cooperating fully with that investigation, Garcia and Dawson said.

"Unfortunately, we cannot release any further information at this time, as we do not wish to compromise the ongoing investigation," Garcia said. "Additional information will be released when it becomes available. We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as this process is completed.”