Post by WaTcHeR on Oct 19, 2006 10:21:16 GMT -5
10.19.2006 - The investigation that led to the arrest of a Tucson Police officer on drug charges Tuesday was initiated after the officer was involved in an on-duty collision and tested positive for cocaine, police said Wednesday.
Officer Estevan A. Marquez, an 11-year-veteran, is facing several criminal charges, including unlawful possession of a narcotic drug, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Pima County jail but was released Tuesday night on recognizance.
Lt. Vicki Reza, a spokeswoman for the Tucson Police Department, gave the following account of the events that led to Marquez's arrest:
On Oct. 3, around 10:30 a.m., Marquez met up with another officer in the 1200 block of North Walnut Boulevard, near North Alvernon Way and East Speedway, to discuss a wanted person that was being sought in the area. As the officers prepared to part ways, Marquez rear-ended the other patrol car at a low speed.
Neither of the officers were injured, but Marquez was required to submit to testing for drugs and alcohol. The results revealed that Marquez had cocaine in his system. A second analysis confirmed the results from the first test.
At that time, an investigation was opened and a search of Marquez's work locker was conducted. Inside of the locker, investigators found a small amount of cocaine and a small amount of marijuana.
It is not common practice for officers to store evidence in their lockers, Reza said.
Marquez has been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation is being conducted.
"Officers are held to a higher standard and that's the expectation from the department and the community we serve," Reza said on Tuesday. "As a police department we cannot and will not tolerate criminal behavior by one of our own."
www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/151736.php
Officer Estevan A. Marquez, an 11-year-veteran, is facing several criminal charges, including unlawful possession of a narcotic drug, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Pima County jail but was released Tuesday night on recognizance.
Lt. Vicki Reza, a spokeswoman for the Tucson Police Department, gave the following account of the events that led to Marquez's arrest:
On Oct. 3, around 10:30 a.m., Marquez met up with another officer in the 1200 block of North Walnut Boulevard, near North Alvernon Way and East Speedway, to discuss a wanted person that was being sought in the area. As the officers prepared to part ways, Marquez rear-ended the other patrol car at a low speed.
Neither of the officers were injured, but Marquez was required to submit to testing for drugs and alcohol. The results revealed that Marquez had cocaine in his system. A second analysis confirmed the results from the first test.
At that time, an investigation was opened and a search of Marquez's work locker was conducted. Inside of the locker, investigators found a small amount of cocaine and a small amount of marijuana.
It is not common practice for officers to store evidence in their lockers, Reza said.
Marquez has been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation is being conducted.
"Officers are held to a higher standard and that's the expectation from the department and the community we serve," Reza said on Tuesday. "As a police department we cannot and will not tolerate criminal behavior by one of our own."
www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/151736.php