TULARE, Calif. (KMJ) — Tulare Police Department announced one of its officers has been arrested for suspicion of DUI.
Police received a call from a concerned citizen who saw the officer asleep in his marked patrol vehicle on June 23rd.
The officer was identified as Frank Garcia, who has been employed with this department for two and half years.
The supervisor who met with Garcia said he demonstrated signs of being under the influence of alcohol.
At that point, to ensure full transparency and to avoid bias, the California Highway Patrol was contacted to conduct a DUI investigation.
After the completion of the investigation, CHP arrested Officer Garcia for driving under the influence, and later to be issued a citation to appear in court.
The California Highway Patrol submitted the case to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office which formally filed charges against the officer.
A separate Internal Affairs investigation was also initiated by Tulare Police Department.
Per protocol, Officer Garcia has been on paid administrative leave since the date of the incident.
Tulare Police Chief Fred Ynclan issued the following statement:
The Tulare Police Department wishes to clearly indicate its commitment to full disclosure and transparency with regard to reports of potential officer misconduct. All individuals shall be held accountable for their actions.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
