The Bridgewater Police Commission has suspended Chief John Collyer with pay.
The decision comes after formal charges against Collyer were announced this morning for sexual assault and exploitation of a 17-year-old girl.
Chair Pat Cappello says without a guilty verdict the act will only allow for paid leave.
The suspension will last for 60 days, after which the commission will have to meet again to decide what comes next.
Collyer is due back in court June 14.