Test: PD officer was .06
Gallup Police official says charges will be up to DA’s office

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Gallup Police Officer Roberta Garcia may soon be cleared of criminal wrongdoing, after she was arrested June 6 by another Gallup Police officer for allegedly driving drunk.

Her employer, Gallup Police Department, received blood-test results from the forensic lab Wednesday, which showed a .06 blood-alcohol concentration the night she was arrested, according to Gallup Police Deputy Chief John Allen. The legal maximum blood-alcohol concentration is .08 — two one-hundredths more than Garcia’s result.

Garcia’s breathalyzer showed a .07 blood-alcohol concentration when she was taken to Gallup McKinley Adult Detention Center about 12:30 a.m. June 6, after police stopped her for speeding. To confirm the breathalyzer results, the arresting officer had a blood sample sent to a lab for more precise testing, according to Allen.

He said the decision to proceed with criminal charges will be left to the District Attorney.

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