UPDATED: Macomb County Sheriff Says Chesterfield Police Chief Requested Investigation

Updated 2:10 p.m. Wednesday

After criticism of potential wrongdoing, Chesterfield Township Police Chief Bruce Smith requested an independent investigation last week, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham told Patch Wednesday.

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The Sheriff's Office is investigating an alleged deal in the township involving the sale of used vehicles to someone believed to be Lovelock's family member.

“The investigation is to look at all activity that revolves around that vehicle and to see if there's any kind of criminal activity," Wickersham said.

The sheriff said that it was Smith who brought the matter to his attention--saying that both the police chief and Lovelock wanted his office to look at the issue independently in light of accusations of wrongdoing.

"They felt that there should be an independent investigation," Wickersham said.

According to a Channel 4 report, Lovelock failed to disclose to township officials at a recent meeting that six used public vehicles he reportedly valued at $4,000 would actually to be sold to his son-in-law.

Lovelock then allegedly called Smith when the buyer was pulled over for speeding in one of those vehicles, a Department of Public Works truck. The truck had no plate and an invalid title. Smith is then heard in an audio recording telling dispatch to let Lovelock's son-in-law off the hook, the station reports.

The Sheriff's Office does not have a known time frame of when the investigation will wrap.

Attempts to reach Smith and Lovelock were not immediately successful.

Check back with Patch for updates.