ComPol upbraids constable for “serious breach” following run-in with senior

Posted: Monday, May 25, 2020. 2:25 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The actions of a police constable last week could potentially cost his job, according to his boss.

Police Constable Mark Rodriguez and Assistant Superintendent of Police, Aaron Gamboa, have made dueling claims of abuse following a meeting last week in Teakettle, in separate press interviews.

It is left to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams to decide who is right – and in an interview on Friday, he came down on the side of Gamboa, saying Rodriguez had been responsible for “a serious breach of discipline” that could result in his dismissal.

Williams told reporters that Rodriguez was believed to have been “under the influence” of alcohol while driving, which Rodriguez denies, and that he had obstructed two vehicles prior to being intercepted by Gamboa. He warned that as Rodriguez refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test, the law considers him responsible unless he can prove otherwise.

By all rights, Williams said, the officer should have been behind bars that night, but compounded his errors by displaying a poor attitude and cursing and assaulting his superior.

In addition to facing criminal charges, Rodriguez will be disciplinarily charged before an internal tribunal where the punishment may be as low as a warning or a reprimand or as costly as his dismissal from the Department.

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