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UC Berkeley placed 15 maintenance workers on paid leave while investigating allegations of drug and alcohol use on the job, “timecard improprieties” and misuse of campus property, university officials said. 

The university declined to elaborate on the allegations. 

The investigation has been under way for several months, but at this point the allegations do not warrant criminal charges, according to UC Berkeley Police Captain Bill Cooper. 

Because the allegations focus on personnel problems, the physical plant and campus services department, which handles campus maintenance, has taken the lead in the investigation, Cooper said. 

Evidence of drug dealing, in addition to alleged drug use, could lead to criminal charges, but Cooper said there is no reason to suspect drug dealing at this time. Police will wait for the outcome of the physical plant investigation before pursuing any further investigation. 

Physical plant officials referred all inquiries to the university’s public affairs office. 

UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore said violations of campus policy can result in disciplinary action, including termination. 

Officials from two unions that work on the UC Berkeley campus said the identity of the suspended workers, and their union affiliation, is unclear. They offered no comment on the investigation.