Law

Navajo Nation police chief placed on paid leave

Jim Benally, the chief of police for the Navajo Nation, has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Benally wouldn't say why he was on leave and neither would Samson Cowboy, the director of the Navajo Nation's Division of Public Safety. But Cowboy denied the action was linked to a letter by subordinates that accuses him of creating a hostile working environment and of mismanaging tribal and federal funds.

Cowboy is Benally's boss. He will decide next Tuesday whether to extend Benally's paid leave.

Get the Story:
Lieutenants vs. Cowboy (The Gallup Independent 4/9)
Navajo police chief put on paid leave (AP 4/9)