BROWNTOWN'S FINEST (BOYS IN BLUE) BEHAVING BADLY (2022)

(The City of Brownsville has released its 2022 police disciplinary records. The Brownsville Police Department is a civil service agency. Only discipline resulting in some form of suspension is releasable to the public for those protected under Chapter 143 of the Local Government Code.)

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Officer Suspended for Vehicle Stop Leading to Chase

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Officer David Schaelchlin was working an OCEDFT operation. As part of the operation, Officer Schaelchlin conducted a traffic stop on a White Chevrolet Tahoe, which was occupied by four subjects. After effecting the stop, Officer Schaelchlin failed to notify dispatch of the traffic stop, his location, a description of the suspect vehicle, vehicle tag number and the number of occupants, via his police radio

While conducting his investigation, Officer Schaelchlin asked the driver to step out. As the driver was stepping out of the vehicle, he asked, “do I turn it off?”. Officer Schaelchlin replied, “if you want”. The driver exited and left the vehicle running with the keys in the ignition and three occupants in the vehicle.

As Officer David Schaelchlin was interviewing the driver, back-up Officer Justin Solis arrived on scene. Officer Schaelchlin then asked the driver if he had anything in the vehicle such as weapons or drugs. The driver stated that he did not and gave consent for the search of his vehicle. As Officer Schaelchlin remained by his marked unit with the driver of the suspect vehicle, Officer Solis walked to the right side (passenger side) of the suspect vehicle and asked the occupants to step out. 

The male subject sitting in the back, left of the suspect vehicle stepped out and was given verbal commands by Officer Schaelchlin to walk towards him. Instead, the male subject opened the driver’s door, climbed into the driver’s seat, and fled the area in the White Chevrolet Tahoe. It was later found that the fleeing suspect disregarded a stop sign and struck another vehicle that was traveling on the roadway, causing heavy damage and injury to the driver.

Re: Disciplinary Suspension Officer David Schaelchlin #4476, Dated October 12, 2022, Signed by Chief Felix Sauceda

Officer Schaelchlin was suspended for one day.

Officer Suspended for Shooting Himself

On Friday July 29, 2022, while participating in the RGV SWAT Competition at the Brownsville Police Department Shooting Range, Officer Jesus Ibarra #7161 accidentally shot himself on his right foot during a competitive training exerciseRe. Disciplinary Suspension Officer Jesus Ibarra #7161, Dated April 26, 2023, Signed by Chief Felix Sauceda

Officer Ibarra was suspended for one day.

Officer Suspended for Using City Vehicle for Personal Use and Traveling Outside of City Limits

Officer Carlos Camacho has been driving his assigned unmarked Brownsville Police Department Police vehicle for personal use while off-duty. Additionally, Officer Carlos Camacho has been driving his city owned vehicle to travel outside city limits without the authority of a supervisor and/or the Chief of Police.

Re: Disciplinary Suspension Officer Carlos Camacho #4943, Dated June 23, 2022, Signed by Chief Felix Sauceda

Officer Camacho was suspended for three days.

Officer Suspended for Working a Second Job While on Sick Leave for His Regular Schedule

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, Officer Sigifredo Martinez worked off-duty security at Texas Soutbmost College from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Afterwards, he was expected to report for duty at the Brownsville Police Department for his scheduled 6:00 pm to 4:00 am shift, but failed to attend the roll-call briefing. It was found that he had called in unable for his shift, after working his off-duty assignment. It was also learned that he used his sick leave in conjunction with other leave.

A further inquiry into his off-duty security at Texas Southmost College, in conjunction with his sick days, revealed that on October 14, 2021 and October 21, 2021, he worked at the college, while on sick leave status. As a matter of fact, [he was] witnessed [ ] working on October 21, 2021 and [was] ordered [ ] to terminate his shift immediately and go home. [It was] further advised [ ] that his conduct was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

Finally, an inquiry into his off-duty security at Cinemark Sunrise Mall and XD in conjunction with his sick days revealed that on September 28, 2021, Officer Martinez worked at the movie theater, while on sick leave status.Re: Disciplinary Suspension Officer Sigifredo Martinez #3650, Dated January 25, 2022, Signed by Chief Felix Sauceda

Officer Martinez was suspended for one day.

Moonlighting Officer 
On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, Officer Mendez worked off-duty security at Texas Southmost College from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On that same day, Officer Mendez was scheduled for duty with the Brownsville Police Department for his assigned shift hours of 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., but instead, he called in unable for his shift at 3:08 p.m., just after working off-duty security. It was also learned that Officer Mendez used his sick leave in conjunction with his regularly scheduled days off.

A further inquiry into Officer Mendez’s off-duty security details was conducted. It was discovered that on Sunday, October 19, 2021, Officer Mendez worked off-duty security at the Cinemark Sunrise Mall and XD movie theater from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

On that same day, Officer Mendez was scheduled for duty with the Brownsville Police Department for his assigned shift hours of 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but instead, he called in unable at 4:04 a.m., before working off-duty security at the movie theater. It was also learned Officer Mendez used his sick leave in conjunction with his regularly scheduled days off.Re: Disciplinary Suspension Officer Victor Mendez #7270, Dated February 15, 2022, Signed by Chief Felix Sauceda

Officer Mendez was suspended for two days.