SAN BENITO — A San Benito police officer facing charges of burglary and drunken driving has been placed on administrative leave.
Officer Jose Manuel Ledezma faces charges of burglary of a habitation and driving while intoxicated following a Tuesday arrest, city spokeswoman Martha McClain stated late yesterday afternoon.
McClain said Ledezma was off-duty when a woman accused him of breaking into her apartment and assaulting her at 100 Cornejo Drive.
Later, police pulled over Ledezma’s vehicle and accused him of drunken driving, McClain stated.
Police Chief Michael Galvan called for an internal investigation.
“Ledezma has been placed on administrative leave and the citizens of San Benito can expect the internal investigation to be comprehensive, with a focus on due process and resulting in appropriate action,” Galvan stated.
Galvan stated his officers put “their own feelings” aside when they arrested Ledezma.
“I am proud of those officers in making the right decision and doing what they had to do in spite of their own personal feelings,” Galvan said.
“I am proud that we have officers who are willing to demonstrate that degree of professionalism.”
It was unclear whether Ledezma was placed on administrative leave without pay or paid administrative leave.
