An Ironton police officer has been put on paid administrative leave while the department and the state conduct investigations.

Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said the officer, whom he wouldn’t name, was put on leave pending the results of “internal and external investigations.”

He said the officer was being investigated by the Ironton Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

Blankenship wouldn’t say what the officer was being investigated for but did say that the internal investigation was whether policies of the Ironton Police Department had been broken and that BCI investigation was whether there was criminal action.

“I just don’t feel it is prudent right now to give out that information,” he said. “It is an ongoing investigation and I want to keep the integrity of the investigation intact and know we are doing everything in a professional manner in resolving this matter.”

Blankenship said he wouldn’t comment further until the results of the investigations are in.

Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey said he couldn’t comment at this time.