
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 8, 1991                   TAG: 9102080784
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS                                LENGTH: Short

STATE INVESTIGATING POLICE IN MANASSAS

A Manassas police officer has been suspended without pay while the Virginia State Police probe allegations of criminal activity in the Manassas Police Department, city officials said.

The investigation is focusing on the suspended officer, City Manager John Cartwright said.

Cartwright and other city officials, including Manassas Police Chief Sam Ellis, declined to identify the officer or say what criminal activity is suspected.

When asked about the investigation Thursday, Ellis said "I have no comment on anything."

Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert requested the investigation Jan. 7, City Attorney Robert Bendall said.

Ebert, who is on vacation in Central America, could not be reached for comment. Officials in Ebert's office declined to comment on why he initiated the investigation.

In commenting on Ebert's actions, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney James Willett said any law enforcement agency, including the office of the commonwealth's attorney, can launch a criminal investigation.

State police are commonly used to investigate criminal allegations in local police departments.

"I think from the city's perspective, there was an allegation of criminal wrongdoing, which is properly investigated by the commonwealth's attorney and the state police," Bendall said.

The investigation follows an independent investigation of the city police ordered by the City Council in December.

by CNB