- High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard was placed on paid administrative leave on June 23 amid an undisclosed investigation into complaints.
- Sheppard has served as chief since 2019, recently marked 25 years with the department, and must return city property during leave.
High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard was placed on administrative leave this week due to an investigation into complaints, according to a letter from the city.
City Manager Jeremy Marshall wrote the letter to Sheppard dated June 23. The leave is paid and effective immediately. The nature of the complaints and the investigation is not disclosed.
The letter states Sheppard must make himself available to be contacted during regular business hours, but the chief is not allowed to contact any city employees or access areas designated for employees without Marshall’s authorization.
Sheppard must return all city property, including his laptop, keys and ID badge, to the city clerk. If any of the terms relayed in the letter are violated, the chief will be subject to disciplinary action.
“You will remain on administrative leave until you receive written notification from the City Manager,” Marshall writes. “If you have any questions regarding your administrative leave status, please contact the City Clerk’s office.”
Sheppard has served as chief since 2019 and celebrated 25 years with the department in April.
Last month, Sheppard went to bat to defend his police department from potential cuts as the City Commission considered ways to make room in its budget. The commission ultimately decided to keep both fire and police.
The city told Mainstreet it couldn’t comment on the letter as the investigation is active. Sheppard did not respond to comment in time for the publication of this story, which will be updated as any statements are acquired.
Editor’s note: This story was underwritten by a grant from the Rural Reporting Initiative at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.
