Yakima police place spokesman on paid administrative leave

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Authorities say the spokesman of the Yakima Police Department has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports police say spokesman Mike Bastinelli will be on leave pending the results of an investigation by the department’s Professional Standards Office.

A cause for the investigation was not reported.

Bastinelli has been the department’s public information specialist since July 2014. He previously worked as a journalist in Dallas and Portland before moving to KIT Radio in Yakima, where he hosted a talk show.

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Information from: Yakima Herald-Republic, http://www.yakimaherald.com