Llano PD chief on administrative leave

By Phil Reynolds

The Highlander

Llano city council members will go behind closed doors today, Tuesday, Jan. 16, to talk with their attorney about a police force that’s been reduced by half.

Three members of the eight-person force – Chief Kevin Ratliff, Sgt. Jared Latta and Patrol Officer Aimee Shannon — are on administrative leave with pay after a complaint charging official misconduct was lodged with the Llano County District Attorney’s office, District Attorney Sonny McAfee said.

McAfee said Ratliff, the police chief, placed himself and the other two officers on leave.

Another officer, Matthew Grant Hardin, was already on paid leave, but McAfee said Hardin’s situation has nothing to do with the removal of the three other officers from duty.

That leaves the Llano Police Department with four sworn officers and an administrative assistant, according to the City of Llano Web site.

The Llano City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chamber, 301 W. Main St., Llano. The executive session is the last item on the agenda, although agencies often change the order of discussion of agenda items.

McAfee declined to discuss details of the complaint, but said the fact his office is handling the case and that Texas Rangers are investigating do not indicate that the complaint involves a felony.

“The Rangers and the district attorney’s office investigate any kind of allegation of official misconduct,” he said.

McAfee said it’s “premature at this point” to say anything further about the investigation.

However, he said no other information would be forthcoming “until indictments are handed down, if they are handed down.”

According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a grand jury is the body that issues indictments; an indictment is not normally issued for a misdemeanor, a lower class of offense than a felony.

McAfee said a Llano County grand jury is currently in session.