The Maui Police Commission Wednesday rejected a call to put Maui Police Chief John Pelletier on administrative leave and investigate a civil lawsuit against him involving rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

Chief Pelletier denied all the allegations contained in the civil suit and provided the commission with receipts and photos he said prove he was nowhere near the scene where alleged incidents occurred. He said the evidence showed he was working at the Las Vegas Police Department, not in California as alleged.

When the civil suit was filed, Mayor Richard Bissen asked the Maui Police Commission to place Chief Pelletier on leave pending investigation, stating it “does not constitute a presumption of guilt but ensures (he’s) not in a position that may compromise the integrity of the office while the matter is under review.”

After hearing public testimony and from the Chief and his attorney, the commission decided not to act on the request to put him on leave.

Gina Mangieri is on Maui and will have more on the decision, as well as reaction from the Chief and Mayor’s office starting with the KHON2 News at 4.