The State Capitol Police acting chief Antonio Asion and Sgt. Benjamin Franklin have been suspended in an investigation involving off-duty work.
The state Department of Public Safety made the announcement Sunday evening. Rumors of the suspensions had begun to surface Saturday.
"I have serious concerns about certain practices involving secondary employment," DPS Secretary Kieran Shanahan said in the statement his office released. "We will conduct a thorough investigation and take action as deemed appropriate."
Shanahan said no further information would be released for now, so as not to jeopardize the investigation.
Major William Gray of the State Highway Patrol has been named acting chief while the probe is under way.
The statement said Shanahan had "initiated an investigation into certian State Capitol Police administrative practices," and placed the two officers on "investigatory placement."
Asion had filled in as the police chief following the death in September of Chief W. Scott Hunter, who died after a long illness.
The State Capitol Police are responsible for the state government complex and other state-owned property in Raleigh.
