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MONCTON - The Town of Riverview has suspended its longtime fire chief after a staff complaint sparked an investigation by the RCMP.

Doug Hamer, the former head of the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs, was suspended effective last Thursday.

He has served as a firefighter, company officer, training officer and chief of the Riverview department for more than 32 years. Hamer has also been a member of the Department of Public Safety's Fire Service Dispatch Implementation Committee.

"The decision was made because we have been informed that an RCMP investigation has been opened," said Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland. "As a lot of businesses and organizations do today, we suspended the chief until we get the results of the investigation."

Codiac RCMP would not comment on the investigation.

However, several members of town council have confirmed an investigation is underway.

"It's certainly disturbing," said Sweetland. "Doug has spent a long time with Riverview and has done a good job as fire chief. We can only say it's in the hands of the RCMP right now."

Sweetland declined to comment on the details behind the allegations, but Ann Seamans, a councilor-at-large, called the matter "internal".

"There have been some problems," she said. "There was another employee that has pressed some charges against the chief."

"We have to deal with it."

Seamans said Hamer is two years away from retirement.

"He has been well-respected in the town and in the community that's for sure," said Seamans. "It's difficult. We had to make the decision, which you hate to do, because he is a great chief, but there was no choice in the matter."

Milt Cawley, deputy chief of Riverview Fire and Ambulance, declined any comment regarding his colleague other than to say he will field the responsibilities of the chief's position in the meantime.

Calls to reach Hamer were not returned.