Deputy is put on paid leave

SANDPOINT — A deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave for a use-of-force issue, Bonner County Sheriff Elaine Savage announced on Friday.

Because personnel matters are involved, Savage declined to identify the deputy or provide details of the alleged incident until the investigation is complete. The probe, which is being conducted by an unspecified outside law-enforcement agency, is expected to be finished in the next two weeks.

The announcement comes three days after a deputy used the butt of a semiautomatic rifle to knock unconscious a 40-year-old Colburn man who was ignoring his repeated commands during a domestic dispute involving loaded firearms. The suspect was unarmed when he was struck in the jaw, although he had a loaded .22-caliber rifle within reach, the arrest report said.

It could not be confirmed Friday if that incident gave rise to the use-of-force issue.