Maui's police oversight board is publicly contradicting its own suspended police chief, a messy fight that damages trust in both the department and county leadership.

• The Maui Police Commission says Chief John Pelletier's claim that Mayor Richard Bissen is under criminal investigation is false.
• The commission put Pelletier on paid leave on its own, it says, with no input from the mayor.
• The leave followed a criminal complaint involving a police lieutenant and questions about how Pelletier oversaw the criminal intelligence unit.
• The commission hired an outside investigator and says Pelletier at work could interfere with the inquiry.
• Commission chair Frank Tam calls the accusations damaging to the board's independence; the mayor also denies involvement.

Outlook: Pelletier stays on leave until the outside investigation is finished and the commission decides what to do next.