Carolina Beach police chief suspended with pay

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The police chief has been suspended with pay, according to the Carolina Beach town manager.

Michael Cramer said Ken Hinkle was suspended this morning for what he called a non-disciplinary suspension. He would not go into detail on the reason behind the suspension; there was no word on how long the suspension would be.

According to the town’s human resources personnel policy, “During the investigation, hearing, or trial of an employee on any criminal charge, or during an investigation related to alleged detrimental personal conduct, or during the course of any civil action involving an employee, when suspension would, in the opinion of the department head, be in the best interest of the Town, the department head may suspend the employee for part or all of the proceedings as a non-disciplinary action.”

According to a spokeswoman with the State Bureau of Investigation, there are no open cases against Hinkle in their department.

According to the town’s website, Hinkle began as the chief in November 2013 after serving as the chief of police of Obetz, Ohio. His experience is backed by serving 33 years in law enforcement, the site says.