ESCONDIDO, Calif. -  

A citizens group will show their support for on-leave Escondido police Chief Jim Maher at a rally scheduled for Wednesday.

Maher, a 30-year department veteran who has been chief since 2006, was put on administrative leave by the city manager as part of an unspecified "personnel" investigation on Wednesday. The chief told U-T San Diego the investigation was not directly related to him and that he was put on leave for his own protection.

The rally is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Escondido City Hall, 201 N. Broadway, before a scheduled town hall meeting at 4:15 p.m.

"Please come out to show your support for the great job chief Maher has done reducing crime and traffic accidents in Escondido," said Patricia Bennett, president of Citizens of Escondido for Road Safety.

Bennet said Maher was put on leave by the city manager, Clay Phillips, who did not consult the mayor or City Council.

Lt. Chris Wynn, a spokesman for the 170-officer police department, said it was unclear how long Maher's leave would last. Assistant Chief Cory Moles will head the department in the interim.

"Even we don't know what's going on," Wynn said.

The 57-year-old police chief makes about $150,000 per year.