A Plymouth police officer is off the job for now after the Massachusetts State Police announced a criminal investigation into her off-duty conduct. The officer, identified as Samantha Pelrine, was placed on paid administrative leave Sunday while state and local inquiries move forward.
State Police Open Criminal Probe
According to WCVB, Massachusetts State Police have launched a criminal investigation into Pelrine's off-duty behavior, and Plymouth police confirmed she has been placed on paid administrative leave. The department is also conducting its own internal review into Pelrine's conduct, the station reported, and WCVB included a department-sourced image of Pelrine alongside its coverage.
How the Review Typically Works
Criminal investigations handled by state detectives generally run on a separate track from a department's internal affairs process, and any personnel decisions can follow their own timeline. The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission oversees certification and discipline for officers across the state and publishes suspension and disciplinary records on its website. That structure means any internal finding or POST action would be distinct from, and not dependent on, the criminal case.
Regional Context
The Pelrine inquiry comes on the heels of another high-profile South Shore case, in which an off-duty Marshfield officer was charged in early March after a head-on crash that injured another driver. That episode, detailed in Marshfield officer charged, highlighted how off-duty incidents can trigger both criminal charges and internal department reviews. Together, the recent cases have focused attention on how police agencies and state investigators coordinate when officers are accused of wrongdoing off duty.
What’s Next
No criminal charges tied to the Pelrine matter have been publicly announced, and WCVB reports that NewsCenter 5 will update its coverage as new information emerges. Hoodline will continue to track local court filings and any additional statements from the Plymouth Police Department or the Massachusetts State Police.
