MONROE - Monroe Deputy Fire Chief Lane Heins was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday in connection with an undisclosed personnel issue.
Accord-ing to a City of Monroe news release, Fire Chief Dan Smits placed Heins on administrative leave pending further investigation into a personnel matter. The leave is not characterized as a disciplinary action and no charges have been filed with the Monroe Police and Fire Commission, according to the release.
Smits said he could not elaborate on the investigation or the inciting incident but said Heins' period of leave will continue indefinitely.
Heins' duties will be reassigned throughout his leave, although Smits said he does not yet know who will take on his duties.
Heins, who became a member of the Monroe Fire Department in 1999, was a candidate to become fire chief after the departure of former chief Daryl Rausch in 2016 but was passed over after several firefighters expressed concern with his leadership and communication style.
Accord-ing to a City of Monroe news release, Fire Chief Dan Smits placed Heins on administrative leave pending further investigation into a personnel matter. The leave is not characterized as a disciplinary action and no charges have been filed with the Monroe Police and Fire Commission, according to the release.
Smits said he could not elaborate on the investigation or the inciting incident but said Heins' period of leave will continue indefinitely.
Heins' duties will be reassigned throughout his leave, although Smits said he does not yet know who will take on his duties.
Heins, who became a member of the Monroe Fire Department in 1999, was a candidate to become fire chief after the departure of former chief Daryl Rausch in 2016 but was passed over after several firefighters expressed concern with his leadership and communication style.