MARION — The Marion Police Department is seeking applications for a full time police officer following the retirement of Sgt. Jeffrey Tripp, the Marion officer who was placed on paid administrative leave in August because of a Bristol County investigation.

Police Chief John Garcia said in August that Tripp was not the subject of the investigation. Contacted on Friday, Garcia said he still could not specify what the investigation was about, beyond a “personnel issue,” but confirmed that the investigation and Tripp’s retirement created the advertised vacancy in the department’s 15-member police force. 

The Bristol County law enforcement task force and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office began the investigation, and the Town of Marion cooperated fully with it, Garcia and Town Administrator Paul Dawson said in a statement in August.

The County investigation also prompted the Marion Police Department to do an internal investigation and review of the facts and circumstances.

Dawson and Garcia specified in a written statement in August that the investigation involved Tripp’s “conduct related to the performance of his duties as a Marion Police Officer.”

Tripp joined the department in March 2001. The application to fill the vacant position will be taken until noon on Dec. 28.