DeKALB – Northern Illinois University officials have named a new acting police chief one day after placing the department head and a lieutenant on paid administrative leave.

Lt. Darren Mitchell, who has been with the NIU Police Department since 2000, will serve as acting police chief while Chief Donald Grady and Lt. Kartik Ramakrishnan are on leave over misplaced evidence in a rape case against one of their former officers.

Bill Nicklas, acting director of public safety for NIU, addressed the student association senate Sunday night to inform students about the change and said Mitchell would ensure a smooth transition.