Galveston police chief on paid leave amid employment issue

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- The police chief in Galveston has been suspended with pay amid an employment-related investigation.

Chief Henry Porretto was informed of his suspension Wednesday.

City spokeswoman Kala McCain on Thursday said the matter involves an "employment issue" brought forth by another person, but wouldn't elaborate on who that person is. McCain says an outside firm has been hired to investigate the undisclosed issue.

Porretto has been with the city since 1989 and police chief since 2011.

David Smith, the city's director of fleet facilities, has been named the acting Galveston police chief. The ex-police officer, who's been employed by the city for 35 years, still holds a license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Porretto doesn't usually avoid cameras. In fact, on this laid back island - where a lazy afternoon can quickly turn into a full-day affair -- Porretto is known as a talker, a police chief who people know. Plus -- it doesn't hurt that his family is one of the most well-known in town. Ever heard of Porretto Beach?

Galveston resident Jackie Lackey told Eyewitness News, "He's there frequently in the morning, he's always there having discussions with a lot of people, the older citizens."

Another Galveston resident, Will Hinson, said, "It's not that big of a city, and they're an old family here."

Another resident said, "What I've heard him referred to is pretty much a good old boy, kind of hard on his job, but also kind of lets people get away with stuff."

"I never thought it would happen," a resident said. "It's Galveston, so laid back that we don't really enforce anything."

An outside group will begin a formal investigation next week.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.