NEW BEDFORD — A police sergeant has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to a department spokesperson.
Sgt. Samuel Ortega, who has served as a supervisor to the department’s community programs including a mental health outreach unit and a jail diversion and post-overdose program, was investigated and disciplined earlier this summer.
Police Chief Paul Oliveira did not respond to a request for comment Friday or answer questions about whether Ortega’s leave is related to issues of workplace harassment, or an unrelated matter.
A city investigation over the summer concluded that Ortega violated the city’s anti-harassment policy on two allegations among several brought forth by complainants.
Ortega did not respond to questions and a request for comment Friday.
Asked if there is an ongoing internal affairs investigation into Ortega, department spokesperson Lt. Scott Carola said he could not comment on anything further.
Email Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org.
Maybe in 200 years this city will once again be up there in world of industry and wealth! Now no hope☹️
Gotta love these clowns on Rockdale Ave who are new Bedford’s finest. Sgt Ortega is another gene gomes but let’s not tell the public who pays their salaries why this creep is on” paid leave” really? A paid vacation for a police Sgt with so many allegations. Here we go again good ole new beige!