Two deputies and three jailers with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office are off the job following alleged violations of the agency’s drug and alcohol policies.
Sheriff Lupe Treviño said it was all part of an internal investigation.
One deputy resigned but the other four employees were fired for the alleged violations of the agency’s drug and alcohol policies.
Details about the individual violations were not immediately available but the employees were identified as:
• Deputy Armando Guerra
• Deputy David Ortiz
• Jail Sgt. Osnel Salinas
• Jail Sgt. Ricardo Olivarez
• Jailer Robert Rodriguez
Sheriff Treviño said Deputy Amando Guerra resigned before end of an internal investigation.
The other four employees were fired after an internal investigation ended.
Sheriff Lupe Treviño Statement:
“We initiated a very aggressive zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy when we took over in 2005. This year alone we have conducted 879 drug tests on our employees at the cost of $35,016.00.
I believe that the people of Hidalgo County deserve the very best, clear headed law abiding person as their public servant. I will continue to purge those unworthy from our ranks regardless of cost.
I have also directed our Internal Affairs Unit personnel to conduct a complete operational audit on drug cases that these individuals worked during the last 12 months. The purpose of the operational audit is to ensure that no drug criminal case has been compromised.
This morning I ordered all Executive Command & Command Staff members to undergo drug testing.
No criminal charges will be filed at this time. It is not a violation of the law to possess drugs in your bodies’ systems, like it was in years past.
I apologize to the people of Hidalgo County for the actions of these five employees out of our 750 strong work force.”
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