A fire chief in eastern Kentucky has been suspended while Kentucky State Police conduct an investigation into missing funds at the fire department.

Cumberland Mayor Carl Hatfield told WYMT-TV that allegations of missing funds from the city's fire department surfaced about two weeks ago and officials turned the information over to Kentucky State Police. He said officials decided to suspend Fire Chief Fess Eldridge while the probe continues.

Police say they are conducting an investigation into "theft by deception of cold checks" and it could take weeks before they reach a conclusion.

Eldridge did not return calls seeking comment.

Officials declined to release further information.