Officer Nick Hogan, the subject of controversy earlier this year due to news of his use of excessive force while at the Tukwila Police Department, has been put on administrative leave by Snoqualmie Police.

The department and city of Snoqualmie have declined comment on the reason for the leave, but Chief Steve McCulley said the city has hired Summit Law Group, an outside investigative firm, to investigate the issue.

Chief McCulley says that in the meantime the police department is down a person, so other officers will cover his shift.

This news comes on the heels of former officer Chris Sylvain who was put on administrative leave on May 7, 2014, and has now left the Snoqualmie Police department after a lawsuit with the city ended in a settlement. The city has directed follow-up questions on the settlement to file a public record request, which the Record has done.

Hogan is currently on paid leave as there is no way to put him on unpaid leave according to McCulley.

“In this state you can’t punish someone and take away their pay without due process,” McCulley said.

Chief McCulley also states that despite missing one officer they will continue to provide the same level of service to the communities of Snoqualmie and North Bend.

“None of (the Snoqualmie and North Bend residents) should think they will get less police service,” McCulley said.