LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Assistant police chief Clayton Arinaga, who was placed on leave without pay Nov. 17 for undisclosed reasons, was instructed to return to work yesterday, only to be immediately ordered to go on vacation, said his attorney, Margery Bronster.

Prosecuting Attorney Craig De Costa, whose office Bronster said is conducting an investigation of Arinaga, said he had understood that Arinaga was to be permitted to return to work yesterday. Neither he, Police Chief K.C. Lum nor County Attorney Lani Nakazawa would comment on the investigation, or on Arinaga's status, saying they do not publicly discuss personnel matters.

Arinaga is a department veteran and the third-highest-ranking county police official. Lum confirmed that the Patrol Services Bureau, which Arinaga heads, is being led on an acting basis by a department captain.

Bronster said her client has not been questioned.

"There was a vague reference to a police report five years ago. The entirety of the alleged investigation, as we understand it, relates to this incident," she said. She said she has written county officials insisting Arinaga be reinstated, and will argue that her client is being punished for being a whistleblower about problems within the department.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.