A Rutland Police officer is the focus of a criminal investigation.

Longtime officer, Thomas Fuller, became the focus of a criminal investigation Monday that centered on an unspecified altercation Saturday at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

The 26-year veteran was suspended with pay Monday and a request was sent to Vermont State Police to conduct the investigation.

The nature of the altercation is unclear although police, in a written press release, said no arrests had been made. Fuller was on duty at the time of the incident, police said.

Asked for further details of the incident at the hospital, Police Chief James Baker declined comment.

“At this point, what’s in the release is all I can say really,” Baker said.

Melissa West, a spokeswoman at RRMC, said Monday night that she had received no information about the incident other than that it did not involve any staff member or patient at the hospital.

Baker said he learned about the incident Monday morning and he said the decision to open an investigation was made after consultation with the chairman of the Rutland Police Commission.

Baker said Fuller will remain suspended with pay for the length of the investigation.

The announcement comes less than two months after city police took similar action involving officer Joseph M. Warfle, a more than 20-year veteran of the force, who had recently returned to limited duty status after a prolonged period on worker’s compensation.

Asked about the investigation involving Warfle earlier Monday, Baker said he believed it was nearing its conclusion but had no knowledge about what the outcome might be or whether criminal charges could be brought.