Kauai County Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. was out reassuring the public on Thursday after Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry and two assistant chiefs were placed on leave a day earlier. The incident stems from a complaint by a fellow officer.

A source with knowledge of the case said the controversy involves accusations by KPD officer Darla Abbatiello-Higa. She received a $980,000 settlement from the county in a whistleblower protection lawsuit several years ago. The source said she registered a new hostile work environment complaint against (Assistant Chief Roy) Asher in October, then filed a second complaint against Quibilan last month.

“Reputations are at stake, and we must refrain from making premature judgments. I want to assure the public that these actions were not taken lightly, were made based upon legal advice, and were made in the best interest of all involved,” Carvalho said.