The town of Dalton has put its fire chief on leave to investigate allegations of staff mistreatment.

The Dalton Fire District commissioners voted on Thursday to suspend Fire Chief Chris Tobin with pay for the next four weeks, according to NewsChannel 13’s news partners at The Berkshire Eagle.

The commission said it has received complaints that include sexual harassment and staff mistreatment. The commissioner’s lawyer said she spoke with several women who said they were intimidated by Tobin.

Tobin said that he believes the complaints are in retaliation for criticism he has lodged against the fire district including calling for a forensic audit to investigate a negative balance of $183,000 in the department’s 2023 books. He also has expressed concerns about deficient respirator protection, medical screening and station safety protocols, the paper reported.