The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as well as forensic accountants, are conducting investigations that have been ongoing since Chief Paul Jakubson was put on paid administrative leave in late April, police officials confirmed Tuesday.

Acting Police Chief Robert Nolan said ATF officials are reviewing records and files in the department, and that forensic accountants — professionals who deal with the gathering of evidence — were looking at “different areas of the department.”

The forensic accountants, from New Haven firm Meyers, Harrison & Pia, LLC, were retained by Town Attorney William Clendenen Jr., Nolan said.

Nolan said Monday the State Police Professional Standards Unit has taken over all pending internal investigations of officers in the embattled department.

Five officers recently have been fired amid separate accusations ranging from consorting with prostitutes and theft to failure to supervise, threatening and worker’s compensation fraud.

Board of Police Commissioners Chairman Emile Geisenheimer said Nolan decided to bring in the state unit primarily to conduct the investigation into Jakubson, who is on leave pending an investigation into his conduct.

Nolan said the state police would likely be working in conjunction with the federal and accounting efforts.

State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance and ATF Boston Field Division spokesman Jim McNally said they could not comment on open investigations.

Neither Nolan nor Geisenheimer would comment on what specifically ATF and the accountants were examining.

Jack Kelly, Jakubson’s attorney, said he knew the commission, department and other agencies have been investigating Jakubson’s tenure since he was put on leave. “No wrongdoing has been brought to my attention to date,” Kelly said.

Jakubson, who has been chief for 10 years, was suspended with pay after he gave commissioners “real pause to be concerned” when he learned the chief had authorized internal investigations without Clendenen’s involvement, Geisenheimer said at the time.

Geisenheimer said he ordered months before that all internal investigations be directed under Clendenen’s supervision.

Before he was promoted to chief, Jakubson was verbally reprimanded in 1996 for selling a pistol that a resident turned over to the department.

A 34-year department veteran, Jakubson submitted a proposal for retirement July 17, which would include enhancements to the current agreement. The police board has not acted on the proposal.

Nolan said he was not sure when the investigations into the department would conclude.

“(The) sooner the better is the only thing I can say,” he said.

Amanda Pinto can be reached at apinto@nhregister.com or 789-5734

©New Haven Register 2008