By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Candido Ortiz
The San Benito Civil Service Commission met Wednesday, November 6, to address the fate of former San Benito police officer Candido Ortiz, who remains on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of his appeal.
On June 11 at approximately 12:10 a.m., Ortiz’s wife called officials regarding a domestic dispute in progress. The woman made allegations of a physical altercation which she said had transpired between Ortiz and his son. It was previously reported in the News that Internal Affairs Detective Rogelio Banda of the San Benito Police Department said Ortiz’s wife “insisted” that the department respond.
Upon arrival at Ortiz’s residence located on the 20000 block of FM 800, deputies with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department allegedly found the 16-year veteran of SBPD and member of the Army National Guard inside his bedroom, under the influence of alcohol.
Ortiz was then arrested for allegedly pointing his department-issued handgun at a sheriff’s deputy, who entered Ortiz’s residence, and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Alan Ozuna, the attorney representing the city on the matter, suggested that the commissioners grant a continuance request made by the defendant’s attorney, Gilberto Hinojosa of Brownsville. The motion was so carried, and the case is now set for a hearing on December 3 at 8:30 a.m. at the Municipal Building.
SBPD Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Galvan said, “On the 3rd (of December), the commission will hear Ortiz’s testimony and make their decision.” Regarding where the department stands on the issue, Galvan said, “I can only say, at this point, it was a very serious charge that we could not take lightly.”
Read this story in the Nov. 11 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
4 comments
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Everybody has problems and have to unwind . Don’t mess with a person that’s not in their right mind they won’t act like reasonable people. Cut the man some slack his a good cop.
Mark my words, T-Shirt Chuey Aguilera will be pounding the door at hearing wishing to speak up for his drunk National Guard buddy, claiming post military psychological symptoms or something. Wait 4 it. Ortiz must take responsibility for his actions
Ask yourselves this question. What law enforcement agency in the country would hire a person with out doing a criminal back ground check first?
Mr. Ortiz, San Benito is a tiny little town where a handful of people can and often do create stories that may have never happened just to embarrass or humiliate people. Many of these people want to bring others into their misery so that they are not alone. Just think about how effective you will be in the community if you were to be reinstated to your former position. Just what kind of message do you think you could possibly deliver to the community. Those who are hateful will never allow this incident pass rendering you ineffective. Whether you like it or not, you were a police officer and police officers do not enjoy the anonymity others do.