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Bellevue officer on leave for possibly violating department’s social media policy, officials say

BELLEVUE, Wash. — A Bellevue officer has been placed on administrative leave and is being investigated for possibly violating the Police Department’s social media policy, officials said Tuesday.

Bellevue police confirm Officer Nicolas Roche was placed on leave after the department was notified about social media posts linked to the officer.

Mylett authorized an independent investigation to ensure “complete” transparency. He told KIRO 7 Bellevue police would hire an independent investigator with no connection to the department, likely an attorney.

“We will allow the investigators to do their work fully and completely, and we’ll take appropriate actions at its conclusion,” said Mylett.

“The employee has constitutional rights, as everybody else, officers do. He’s got freedom of speech, freedom of expression. We carry a burden and our standard is very high because of the work that we do and what we represent,” said Mylett.

On Thursday, it was clear Officer Roche’s Twitter account was taken down.

KIRO 7 reached out to Officer Roche for comment on the situation. A family member said “No thanks.”