MONTAGUE — Montague Police Lt. Christopher Bonnett has been placed on administrative leave and an internal investigation is underway in the department, Town Administrator Walter Ramsey confirmed on Thursday.

Ramsey declined to comment on the reason for the investigation. According to Ramsey, Bonnett started a paid administrative leave on Dec. 11, 2024, and will be out for an undetermined amount of time.

Police Chief Christopher Williams also declined to comment on the lieutenant’s leave in an email on Friday morning.

A records database provided by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission has Bonnett’s certification status listed as being “Not Certified — On Leave.”

According to POST Commission Communications and Media Relations Manager Alia Spring, “An officer that is classified as ‘Not Certified — On Leave’ is both on leave (family, medical, military or administrative) and has not met certification requirements.” She added that the commission, which was established as part of a 2020 criminal justice reform law to improve public safety, cannot comment regarding the reason for Bonnett’s leave.

Spring explained that police departments are required to report any changes to an officer’s status, including if an officer is on leave. Recertification can be obtained once an officer returns from leave.

This is the second time that Bonnett has been placed on leave. On June 29, 2018, he was placed on administrative leave while serving as acting police chief in Montague, according to Greenfield Recorder archives.

At the time, Bonnett had been charged with a single count of assault and battery on a household member. He was released on personal recognizance.

In December 2018, Bonnett was reinstated as lieutenant after the charges, brought against him by a girlfriend, were dropped on Nov. 14, in Holyoke District Court. Bonnett’s lawyer, Michael McHale, said the case was dismissed after the completion of an investigation by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, and that the complaining witness provided false information to State Police.

During Bonnett’s leave, Williams served as acting chief, and was chosen to take the position permanently in November 2018.

Bonnett has been a lieutenant since 2016.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.