Hartford Deputy Chief Lenny Roberts at a forum in White River Junction, Vt., on Jan. 24, 2012. (Valley News - Theophil Syslo) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Hartford Deputy Chief Lenny Roberts at a forum in White River Junction, Vt., on Jan. 24, 2012. (Valley News - Theophil Syslo) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Hartford — Hartford Police Deputy Chief Leonard Roberts has been placed on paid administrative leave from the department.

Roberts is the subject of a Vermont State Police investigation in connection with an alleged “domestic altercation,” Hartford Police Chief Phil Kasten said on Thursday afternoon.

“Maj. Roberts has been placed on administrative leave while the state police conduct an investigation into his involvement in an alleged domestic altercation,” Kasten said.

The alleged incident occurred while Roberts was off-duty, Kasten said.

Roberts was placed on leave on Wednesday, the day the investigation started.

Kasten referred all other questions to Vermont State Police, where spokesman Scott Waterman said he couldn’t divulge any details at this time.

“I can confirm that Vermont State Police is investigating an incident at the request of the Hartford Police Department,” Waterman said.

Hartford assessing records indicate Roberts co-owns a home with Rebel Roberts in Wilder.

A voice message left at the telephone number listed for the home wasn’t returned.

An email sent to Roberts’ work address prompted an autoreply saying he “will be out of the office.”

Roberts is a 35-year veteran of the Hartford Police Department, according to a post on the police department’s Facebook page.

In 2008, Roberts was promoted to deputy chief of field operations, a position that has him overseeing the patrol division and special operations.

Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.