MPD under investigation by Department of Labor

A U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said staff are investigating the Maryville Police Department, according to a statement obtained by The Daily Times.

The department, which coordinates a range of worker’s rights across the nation, did not further comment on the nature of the investigation.

A representative of the city of Maryville said Tuesday, Aug. 6 that staff have yet to be made aware of any investigation.

“We have not been contacted by the DOL for any open, ongoing investigation, and we have not received any official grievance from an employee,” they said in an email.

DOL staff operate multiple agencies and divisions, from collecting labor statistics to overseeing disability policy.

Jake Andrejat, the DOL spokesperson who responded to The Daily Times’ request to confirm the investigation, covers earnings and benefits for the department according to the DOL website. Those areas include the Wage and Hour Division, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance and the Office of Labor-Management Standards.

“We can confirm there is an open investigation of the Maryville Police Department. That’s all we can share while the investigation remains open,” he wrote in a statement July 11. Andrejat later confirmed the investigation was still ongoing July 31.

The Daily Times requested a copy of every complaint filed by Maryville or Maryville Police Department employees from the Department of Labor July 16, but was informed such records are exempted from disclosure as they may identify confidential informants.