JACKSON CENTER — The Jackson Center police chief has been placed on administrative leave.

Chief Joseph Cotterman was placed on paid leave following the filing of a criminal complaint, which is being investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint was filed Jan. 27.

“The Sheriff’s Office is doing the investigation,” said Jackson Center Mayor Scott Klopfenstein. “We are working with them and cooperating with them with the investigation.”

Cotterman, Klopfenstein said, was placed on administrative leave because “we felt he needed that time” to deal with the situation.

“We thought it was best that he didn’t respond to calls in Jackson Center,” said Klopfenstein.

Lt. Charles Wrick has been acting chief since Friday, said Klopfenstein.

“We will be discussing the interim chief at the council meeting,” said Klopfenstein. “We will have an executive session to discuss the interim chief. I expect we’ll come out (of executive session) and make it official.”

Cotterman, a Botkins High School graduate, began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Botkins Police Department. He joined the Jackson Center department in 2002 as an officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and named chief in 2009.

He is a member of the Ohio chief of Police Association and the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab.