Lt. Darren Mitchell is the lead lieutenant of the University Police while Chief Donald Grady is on paid leave, NIU said in a press release Monday.

Eddie Williams, executive vice president of finance and facilities and COO, said that Mitchell, along with Lt. Todd Henert and Lt. Curtis Young, have “assumed leadership of the NIU Department of Public Safety.”

“The university police department continues to operate efficiently and effectively in meeting its mission and responsibilities to the campus community,” Williams said in the release. “Our public safety officers, staff and leadership will continue to perform at high standards.”

Grady is on paid administrative leave, pending a 30-day review of his performance. Williams said in a press release Sunday that an outside review panel will handle the situation. As of press time, Williams did not return calls or e-mails from the Northern Star regarding the review panel.

Grady was placed on leave Friday as a result of an editorial in Thursday’s Northern Star in which the Star’s editorial board called for Grady’s removal as chief.

In response to the editorial, the university announced Thursday that “it acknowledges the assertions and concerns raised [in the editorial]” and that it takes such assertions “very seriously.”

On Friday, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen told the DeKalb Daily Chronicle he supports removing Grady from his position.

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