Kent city corrections officer on leave for alleged misconduct

Published 1:45 pm Friday, May 9, 2025

Sgt. Travis Reed, a veteran corrections officer at the city of Kent jail, remains on administrative leave as the Kent Police Department investigates alleged misconduct by Reed.

“He is currently under investigation due to allegations that he engaged in conduct that violated City and department personnel policies,” Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in a May 9 email to the Kent Reporter.

An investigation began Feb. 28. The department placed Reed on leave March 4, Padilla said. The Kent Police Department oversees jail staff.

Padilla responded to questions from the Kent Reporter after the newspaper received a tip May 8 that Reed was placed on leave and under investigation. Padilla did not reveal the alleged misconduct.

“It’s an ongoing investigation, so there are parts of this I can’t release at this time,” Padilla said.

The Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit is conducting the investigation.

“I don’t have an ETA for when it will be completed,” Padilla said.

The chief declined to say who made the accusations against Reed.

“The department cannot at this time release the names of any complainants or witnesses involved in the investigation,” Padilla said.

Reed has worked more than 25 years at the City of Kent Corrections Facility. In 2019, he received recognition from Padilla for 20 years of work at the jail.

The city jail, 1230 Central Ave. S., opened in 1986. It houses misdemeanor offenders arrested by police as well as those sentenced to less than one year in Kent Municipal Court, which is next to the jail. The crimes include driving under influence, domestic violence, minor assaults, petty theft and others. Felony cases are handled by King County’s Maleng Regional Justice Center jail in Kent or the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle.