SOUTH PORTLAND – The family of a suicidal South Portland man who was fatally shot by police in August has questioned why two officers involved in the shooting are back on the job before an investigation has been completed.

Police Chief Ed Googins brought the officers back to duty even though the state Attorney General’s Office has not completed its investigation into whether deadly force was justified. The probe stems from the Aug. 25 shooting death of Michael Norton, 29, after a standoff at his house.

Owen Pickus, an attorney who represents Norton’s family, said the Police Department should wait until the review is complete before putting the officers back on patrol.

“Why would they put the officers back into the field when they admit the evidence is incomplete and some of the most important evidence has not yet been reviewed, specifically, the forensic evidence?” Pickus said. “I understand there’s an expense [in] placing them on administrative leave and a shortage of officers. That said, we’re not talking about a minor infraction here. This is the loss of someone’s life.”

Googins said he was comfortable bringing the officers back seven weeks after the shooting because there was nothing to indicate a violation of policy or law.

The Attorney General’s Office typically takes about 30 days to complete its reports, but the investigation has been delayed because of a backlog. The office has five investigations under way involving police use of deadly force, dating to June 28.