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Chief put on leave while case probed Gold Hill council sidelines Crawford GOLD HILL -- Police Chief David Crawford, who stands accused of several criminal charges, has been placed on paid administrative leave. The City Council formally sidelined Crawford during a special meeting Monday night. Crawford, the lone Gold Hill officer, had been off duty since last week on sick leave. Mayor Tim Roddam described the city's decision as temporary, pending an investigation by himself and the six-member council into allegations of misconduct and brutality. "All the City Council wants to resolve this as soon as we can," said Roddam, who was elected last month and took office Monday night. Crawford, 41, was indicted by a Jackson County grand jury last week on five charges -- including two counts of felony coercion -- alleging that he roughed up a dirt-biker and threatened to arrest him for drunken driving if he filed a complaint. Crawford also faces trial next month on two counts of attempted coercion in connection with an off-duty incident in 1996 in which he allegedly tried to run an elderly couple from Shady Cove off the road. Roddam said the city officials plan to seek legal advice from city attorney Steve Rich and the district attorney's office before taking action on the Crawford matter. In the meantime, Jackson County sheriff's deputies will provide emergency services. Crawford's contract ends June 30. He was promoted to chief in 1997 after then-Chief Katie Holmboe was fired for misconduct. The indictment came only days after the City Council voted to keep a police department until June 2001, instead of contracting with the sheriff's department for expanded coverage. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA