A Lewiston police captain remains on administrative leave after criminal charges were dismissed earlier this month.
Rick Fuentes was placed on administrative leave in August after being charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure in Kootenai County. The charges were dismissed Oct. 6, but Fuentes has remained on leave.
Public information officer for the city of Lewiston, Carol Maurer, said there’s no time limit on how long an employee can be on administrative leave and the length is on a case-by-case basis.
“The city is going to operate in the best interest of the community,” Maurer said, which means placing an employee on administrative leave will eventually come to a resolution.
The decision on employee status, including administrative leave, is determined by Mayor Dan Johnson with the recommendation of the department head, in this case Lewiston Police Chief Jason Kuzik.
According to the city of Lewiston personnel policy, administrative leave is a designation by which an employee continues to receive pay and benefits. An employee on administrative leave is also required to still be accessible during their work days and hours and to respond when contacted by the city.
