SAN ANTONIO – Six officers who are under scrutiny for the way they handled an incident with a wrecked undercover city truck and its driver, a 20-year police veteran, got a vote of confidence Wednesday from the police union.
“I can tell you unequivocally, without hesitation, that there is no cover-up. Not at all,” said Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association.
It was a strong endorsement for the officers, who are being questioned about their actions regarding SAPD Sgt. Joe Myers, who was discovered early last Thursday morning wandering around in his boxer-shorts and T-shirt in the 700 block of East Mulberry Street, several blocks away from his vehicle.
Helle said responding officers described Myers as incoherent.
“They didn’t smell alcohol on his breath. It was just bizarre. And he wasn’t dressed appropriately, considering where he was at,” Helle said.
Police said Myers was never booked for any crime. But a patrol officer on the scene alerted superiors to possible misconduct when other officers began boxing up some of Myers’ belongings in the wrecked vehicle.
Myers had refused EMS treatment, but he did agree to drug tests.
Helle said Myers told officers that morning that he was on 14 different medications.
Helle said police are waiting for Myer’s blood and urine tests to come back. And so are the six officers.
“I can tell you in no way shape or form did they do anything that was inappropriate. They followed procedure and protocol,” Helle said.
Chief William McManus had no comment. His public affairs office said the investigation continues.