Oscar Vasquez, one of the county's nine peace officers assigned to handle civil and criminal documents in the county justice court, reportedly did not report to work from April to September of last year.

Vazquez told the Star on Friday that the reason for his absence was a “serious car accident.”

“The full story has not been told, because there was a false accusation that I had relinquished my position and refused to submit a release form for the medical leave I took this spring and summer, so I'm sure the human resources department would request an investigation.” That's why,” Vazquez said. He said. “Essentially, this recommendation for my resignation or suspension comes from a partisan group called the Commission on Officer Ethics, Standards and Training.”

Mr. Vasquez was first elected as 4th Precinct Constable in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020. His compensation for this position is $67,000 per year.

“On April 26, Officer Vazquez began what he calls 'sick leave.' As of today, he has not returned to work and his caseload has been distributed to other officers and has already The high caseload has increased even further,” said Chief Constable Eric Krznaric. The complaint, filed in September, alleges that Vasquez's “last document served” was a sick leave date.

“His absence has caused delays in the delivery of documents. Constables drive long distances – over 100 miles – to work, and other constables are adding staff to an already crowded station. “I understand if he cannot legally return to work, but he refuses to provide documentation,” he wrote in the September complaint.

Vazquez denies refusing to provide the documents. In fact, he says he was never asked.

“I said, 'Look, if they want it, I'll give it to them.' They don't want it. I'll give it to them,” he said Friday.

Mr. Krznalich told the Star Friday that Mr. Vasquez returned to work in late September after the charges were filed.

Vasquez acknowledged this, but said he is still working hard through the pain of the accident.

“I still have at least two to four surgeries scheduled for later this year as a result of that car accident,” Vazquez said. “I’m still in pain, dizzy in places, have headaches, and I still have torn tendons in my knee and other parts of my body that will need to be repaired later this year.”

Chairman Adelita Grijalva asked the board supervisory authority to hear about Vazquez. This was recommended by Dennis Dowling, chairman of the state's Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board (CESTB).

The complaint filed by Vasquez's fellow officers with the CESTB alleges that Vasquez “continued his failure to perform his duties as an officer,” and that from August 2022 to The lawsuit alleges that there were two breaches of duty: “failure to submit documents.'' August 2023.

Mr. Vasquez filed an answer to the charges against him on December 2nd. He said it was a “difficult period with important events,” including the shooting death of former police officer Deborah Martinez Garibay, 43, who was killed in August 2022. . He is serving an eviction.

Four days after her death, Vasquez wrote that the “seemingly minor accident” – the aforementioned “serious car accident” – had caused him “considerable pain and suffering.”

“On April 26, 2023, I properly notified my department of my absence following the incident. After receiving treatment, I was scheduled to return to work by the end of July or early August due to the need for surgery. has been adjusted,” Vazquez wrote. “The delay in returning to work was further exacerbated by the discovery of further injuries following surgery. Despite medical advice, I was under pressure from the Chief Constable to expedite my return to duty.”

Vazquez attempted to return to work, but was still experiencing “pain and discomfort” and needed another surgery.

“These injuries have forced me to reduce my mobility, impacting my ability to get in and out of cars, navigate stairs and uneven terrain, and refrain from working in dangerous nighttime environments. ” Vazquez wrote. “Given my deteriorating health, I am unable to adequately protect myself if the situation requires.”

On Dec. 21, Dowling and the State Patrol Commission urged Vasquez to resign.

County supervisors will decide Tuesday whether Vasquez will remain as constable.

This is not the first time Vazquez has faced disciplinary action from a coach.

At the end of his first term, Vasquez received a four-year citation from the former Board of Supervisors for “damaging several county vehicles, speeding, confronting a citizen for a driving accident, and urinating in public.” The Star previously reported that he was suspended for the month.

In 2021, county supervisors suspended Vazquez for 180 days without pay for failing to evict tenants, an action he cited at the time as “the current COVID-19 pandemic and housing crisis.” called it “morally wrong and unjust.”

Despite the possibility of disciplinary action, Vazquez plans to run for a third term this November.

“I don't see any reason. I serve the constituents of my county and I've done a good job,” Vasquez told the Star.