Post by KC on Jan 28, 2007 23:26:16 GMT -5
HOUSTON - A Houston police officer charged with taking a bribe during a traffic stop made more than $200,000 in overtime the past two years, raising his total paycheck to levels rivaling that of the city's mayor.
Alfred Alaniz, a 20-year veteran of the department, also has a discipline record that is among the longest of all officers in the city, according to records obtained by the Houston Chronicle.
Alaniz, 53, was arrested Friday and charged with felony bribery after he accepted a cash bribe during a traffic stop from an undercover officer. A complaint against Alaniz led the department to organize the internal sting, assistant chief Michael Dirden said.
"We do this to test the integrity of officers," Houston police spokesman John Cannon said. "It's just a matter of whether they take the bait."
Alaniz is free on bail and could not be reached for comment. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Alaniz made $116,000 in overtime last year and another $88,000 in 2005, according to records obtained under the Texas Information Act. He likely made much of the extra pay working nights and perhaps appearing in court during the day.
By comparison, Houston Mayor Bill White's salary in 2005 was $177,000.
There were no allegations that Alaniz's overtime was related to Friday's arrest.
The department's internal affairs division has sustained 21 complaints against Alaniz since he started his career in 1986. Among the complaints are criminal activity, misconduct and loss of city property. Punishments Alaniz might have faced because of the investigations weren't immediately available.
An analysis by the newspaper found that Alaniz was among at least four Houston police officers who were paid more than $100,000 in overtime last year.
www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/16514016.htm
Alfred Alaniz, a 20-year veteran of the department, also has a discipline record that is among the longest of all officers in the city, according to records obtained by the Houston Chronicle.
Alaniz, 53, was arrested Friday and charged with felony bribery after he accepted a cash bribe during a traffic stop from an undercover officer. A complaint against Alaniz led the department to organize the internal sting, assistant chief Michael Dirden said.
"We do this to test the integrity of officers," Houston police spokesman John Cannon said. "It's just a matter of whether they take the bait."
Alaniz is free on bail and could not be reached for comment. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Alaniz made $116,000 in overtime last year and another $88,000 in 2005, according to records obtained under the Texas Information Act. He likely made much of the extra pay working nights and perhaps appearing in court during the day.
By comparison, Houston Mayor Bill White's salary in 2005 was $177,000.
There were no allegations that Alaniz's overtime was related to Friday's arrest.
The department's internal affairs division has sustained 21 complaints against Alaniz since he started his career in 1986. Among the complaints are criminal activity, misconduct and loss of city property. Punishments Alaniz might have faced because of the investigations weren't immediately available.
An analysis by the newspaper found that Alaniz was among at least four Houston police officers who were paid more than $100,000 in overtime last year.
www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/16514016.htm