A.D. Ibarra -

Eagle Pass

In another stunning turn of events this week, EPPD Chief Antonio Castañeda, who has been at his position for 19 years, was released in what was termed an administrative move by the Department of Human Resources of the City of Eagle Pass. Castañeda was upset over the decision which was relayed to him by Interim City Manager Gloria Barrientos who gave him no other information other than that of his release. The former chief is planning to challenge the decision for what he says are eight points which have been brought to his attention and which he is claiming are fallacies and fabrications which have been created to either gain political favor, may be retaliation for a previous situation or may even be a smokescreen for the comings and goings in Maverick County Commissioner's Court and the gasoline fraud case which has not been resolved. 

"I understand that they can release you at any time, but I'm most upset about the way it was handled," stated Castañeda, "It's a grave injustice without letting me know."

He mentioned eight points which he feels led City Council, the Mayor, the City Manager and Human Resources to make this move, some of which occurred during previous administrations which are barely coming to light now. Beginning with officers Fernando Chacon and Jose Regalado who make presentations to children at schools in the EPISD in the D.A.R.E. Program which is a program to encourage kids to stray from illicit drug use and has incorporated anti-bullying campaigns this year, there are six other key points to why he thinks this move was made. Since they could not be housed in an EPISD facility, Legacy Villa offered a small office in which they could do their daily plans which was interpreted as a sub-station which they are prohibited from having.

Another key point involved an officer who had concerns with her health and that of her ailing father. This officer was moved from the detectives office to the record room in what was to Castañeda a humanitarian move due to her health and because it was for a dedicated employee of 28 years. In another issue, the interim city manager told him that DPS had given them a bad report which was never brought to his attention.

Another point he made which he wants to clarify stems from an accident in December in which it is being said that a private citizen had reported to City of Eagle Pass Administration that an accident was not reported properly.

One incident involved officer Adolfo Garza who apprehended a man in a foot chase who had stolen some items from a store on Del Rio Blvd., Garza went above and beyond the call of duty. Somehow the mayor was approached by the store owner who complimented him on the officer. The situation of how they provided an incentive for his good work was not in line with the city manager's beliefs.

"Different departments have different ways of motivating their officers, one of which is to give an officer a day off with pay or in some places, the chief takes the officer's place for a day on patrol and the officer is allowed to go home with pay," which he says he has done only six or seven times in the nineteen years he's served as chief.

His question is why are these minor issues coming to light now? Another one of the eight key points he is referring to is the fact that 25 part-time paid reserve officers used to work at minimum wage. These were officers who were paid minimum wage and had limited hours who had jobs elsewhere so he asked then city manager David Valenzuela if they could be compensated better to which he agreed. Then there was the issue of an automobile accident involving EPPD detectives which had already been taken care of, and an issue involving DEA monetary incentives for officers who assist in cases.

According to the newly ousted law enforcement official, he doesn't expect the city to change its mind about wanting to remove him, he just wants the facts to be straight, to preserve his record and to let City Council know that he is not leaving without some type of action on his part.

"All of these points are not valid, are not in good judgement and I feel this is a wrongful termination," closed Castañeda in this exclusive interview, "They never let me know there were problems. When I was told to put a stop to something I did."