ASPEN, Colo.—Aspen Police Chief Loren Ryerson resigned Friday following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.
“I feel that it is in the best interest of the Aspen Police Department for me to resign,” Ryerson said shortly before he and his wife, Mary, left a news conference without answering questions.
Ryerson was put on paid administrative leave Oct. 3 after the city’s insurance carrier, the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA), launched an investigation into the allegations.
CIRSA determined that Ryerson may have acted inappropriately but his actions did not rise to the level requiring severe discipilinary action, and sent City Manager Steve Barwick the results.
Barwick said details of the allegations would remain confidential.
Barwick said Ryerson had been offered his job back.
Assistant Police Chief Richard Pryor, who has been acting police chief since Ryerson was placed on leave, will remain in the position until a replacement is found.
Ryerson began working at the department in 1984 and became chief six years ago. He will not receive severance pay but will be allowed to live in a house purchased from the city for the next two years, and will receive a family pass to the Aspen Recreation Center, Barwick said.
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Information from: The Aspen Times,
