Salem Deputy Police Chief William Ganley has been placed on paid administrative leave as officials investigate allegations he violated his contract with the town last month.

Officials won’t comment on the specifics, but Police Chief Paul Donovan said the department received information outlining Ganley’s alleged misconduct from a citizen on Jan. 18. An ongoing internal investigation was immediately launched into the allegations, Donovan said.

On Jan. 29, acting Town Manager Henry LaBranche placed Ganley on temporary paid administrative leave. The allegations are under review until the details are known, he said.

“It’s going to be handled internally,” LaBranche said.

Ganley could not be reached for comment.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur Barnes said it’s inappropriate for him to comment on a personnel issue, but confirmed Ganley is the focus of an administrative investigation handled through the town manager’s office.

Speaking generally, Barnes said town employees accused of wrongdoing are first investigated by the department head and a recommendation is passed to the town manager. The town manager holds a hearing and then has a number of days – usually 10 – to render a decision, though that depends on the contract, he said.

Only the town manager can take disciplinary action against an employee, Barnes said.

LaBranche will update selectmen on the matter in a nonpublic session Tuesday, according to Barnes.

“As a courtesy, he will address the board. He can’t address all the particulars, but he can bring us up to speed on some of it,” he said.

Ganley is a 22-year veteran of the Salem Police Department and currently second in command, according to Donovan. The son of former Police Chief John Ganley, he started as a cadet and worked his way up through the ranks, Donovan said.

Ganley also was elected to the now-defunct Charter Commission last year.