Off-duty GPD officer arrested on DWI charge

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — An off-duty Gallup Police officer was arrested Saturday for alleged drunken driving.

Officer Roberta Garcia has been temporarily reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation and results of the criminal case, according to Gallup Police Deputy Chief John Allen.

“I’m thoroughly disappointed with her actions,” Allen said Monday.

According to Allen, another Gallup Police officer stopped Garcia for speeding on Second Street, just north of Historic Highway 66, about 12:30 a.m., Saturday. Garcia was off-duty and had a child in the car. She was arrested for DWI and taken to Gallup McKinley Adult Detention Center for a Breathalyzer, while a family member retrieved her car and the child.

As required by statute, police administered two Breathalyzer tests. Both resulted in a blood-alcohol level of .07, which is 1/100 less than the legal limit to drive. Allen said police also opted to draw blood from Garcia for a more detailed analysis of intoxicants in her bloodstream, but the results are not expected for about six weeks.

Garcia received a citation for DWI, which will be sent to the district attorney’s office for prosecution; but she was not booked into jail because her breathalyzer results fell into the legal range.

Reporter Phil Stake can be reached at philip.stake@gmail.com, or by calling (505) 863-6811 x223.