WOODVILLE — The Town of Woodville’s police chief has been put on unpaid administrative leave while the town investigates a complaint filed against him.

The four-member board of aldermen voted unanimously in an emergency meeting Monday night to suspend Jessie Stewart, who has been the chief for approximately three years.

The complaint against Stewart was reportedly centered on a sexual harassment claim filed by an out-of-town resident doing work for the local court system.

Mayor Sharon Robinson declined to confirm those details, saying it was a personnel matter.

Robinson did confirm that Stewart had been accused of a personnel violation.

“I will investigate along with the city attorney,” Robinson said.

Robinson said she did not know of any criminal charges filed against Stewart.

Alderman Blake Jensen said the matter was addressed in executive session, but would not share details of the conversation.

Jensen said Calvin Gaines was appointed as the interim chief.

Gaines, who recently ran for Wilkinson County Sheriff and is contesting the race in court, had previously worked with the police department. Gaines lost the Aug. 2, Democratic primary to incumbent Sheriff Reginald Jackson by 122 votes, but contends voting irregularities caused the election to be unfair.

Both Robinson and Jensen said Stewart was on leave for an indefinite amount of time.

Stewart declined to comment or provide the name of his attorney.

“I can’t stop nobody from saying what they are going to say,” Stewart said. “Time will speak for itself.”