Staff report

PEMBROKE — A 14-year member of the Pembroke Police Department has been suspended pending an investigation, according to town officials.

Police Lt. Charles Maynor was suspended on Oct. 18, according to Amira Hunt, town clerk. His suspension will be active until the investigation is complete, Hunt said.

Maynor’s suspension markes the fourth time that a Pembroke Police Department employee’s status has changed since August.

Assistant Police Chief Dwayne Hunt, who has been with the department for 23 years, was suspended for three days without pay in August. Town Manager Oryan Lowry has cited confidentiality laws in saying he could not tell what led to the suspension of Hunt or Maynor.

Hunt has applied for the position of police chief, which has yet to be filled since Frank Hernandez retired on June 25. Police Sgt. Grant Florita took over the position of interim chief in September, a spot that had been held by Detective Sebastian Veneziano since Hernandez’s retirement.

Lowry said his reason for appointing Florita was to free up Veneziano for his duties as a detective. Shortly after appointing Florita, Lowry said that he hoped to have the position of chief filled this month.

Also in September, Ed Strickland was named Communications director, replacing Jennifer Dial.