The University of New Hampshire’s police chief has been suspended with pay after he was arrested for driving under the influence last week.
Steven Lee, 50, was arrested in Portsmouth after midnight on Jan. 22, according to court documents. UNH has launched an internal investigation into the matter and placed Lee on paid administrative leave, according to university spokesperson Tania DeLuzuriaga.
The university has appointed Captain Mark Collopy to serve as interim chief pending the outcome of the investigation and criminal charges against Lee.
Collopy “has the confidence of university leadership to ensure continued operations of the department and the safety of the UNH community,” DeLuzuriaga said in a statement.
Lee’s arrest was his first for driving under the influence, according to court documents. He notified university leadership of the arrest on the day it occurred, according to DeLuzuriaga.
Lee’s lawyer, Corey MacDonald, wrote in a statement that his client “has an impressive 30-year history in public service.”
“He is currently facing one charge of DUI out of the City of Portsmouth, and he takes that allegation very seriously,” MacDonald wrote. “I have entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, and we will address this as appropriate in Court. In the interim, he is committed to ensuring the impact of this personal challenge is minimized to the University community.”
Lee was named police chief last year after his predecessor, Paul Dean, resigned to take a position in Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s administration. Lee previously served as the department’s deputy chief.
Earlier this month, Lee testified against a bill that would legalize the carrying of firearms on college campuses.