PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene was placed on administrative leave Friday, according to City of Portsmouth officials.
According to Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke, Portsmouth City Council was briefed on Greene's removal via phone call.
The decision was made weeks after Greene announced that state Sen. Louise Lucas, NAACP members, school board members and public defenders had felony warrants issued in relation to their participation in a June 10 Confederate monument protest where a man was severely injured.
After the charges were announced, some in the city called for Greene to step down and supported those charged.
Greene released a statement following calls for her resignation, saying, "As the head of the primary law enforcement agency in the City of Portsmouth, it is my obligation to investigate all crimes that have occurred, and when probable cause exists, present that evidence for the prosecution, which is what was done in this matter."
Lucas and several others charged appeared in court Friday. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax attended Friday's court hearing in support.
The City of Portsmouth released the following statement on Greene:
"The City confirms that Police Chief Angela Greene is on paid leave, and during this period Assistant Chief Scott Burke is serving as Acting Chief of Police of the City Police Department."
This is a developing story.
