Body cam shows Mass. police chief found in unmarked cruiser with bottles of vodka
By Todd Kazakiewich & Phil Tenser
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SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Police body camera footage obtained by NewsCenter 5 shows officers discovering the chief of a nearby department in an unmarked cruiser with two bottles of vodka last month.
Westborough Police Chief Todd Minardi was placed on leave following the incident in Shrewsbury on Oct. 23. The town also announced that it was taking steps to retain an outside investigator.
A report written by a lieutenant of the Shrewsbury Police Department indicates that Minardi was found sleeping in a vehicle in the area of 507 Boston Turnpike. The report states that Minardi was dressed in street clothes in his unmarked police cruiser.
Body camera footage from Shrewsbury police shows officers approaching the vehicle just before 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 23. Officer Tyler Vlass opened the door and said, “What’s going on?”
Minardi, who was off duty, was holding a bottle of liquor in his right hand.
“We got a call for your well-being. The car’s been here for a while, they said. We want to make sure you’re okay,” Vlass said.
“Yeah,” Minardi replied.
The 911 call that prompted the welfare check came from a man who works nearby.
“It just looks like he’s passed out in the car and I just want somebody to check on him,” the caller said.
When asked by Shrewsbury Officer Kevin Warwick if he had made the call, the man confirmed, saying, “Yeah. I was worried because I saw that car there yesterday. He was here since yesterday.”
A Westborough police lieutenant arrived at the scene, and Minardi repeatedly apologized.
“I’m sorry,” Minardi said.
“What’s that?” Lt. Kevin Caviston asked.
“I’m sorry,” Minardi repeated.
“Nothing to be sorry about,” Caviston said.
“I’m sorry to put you in this position,” Minardi added.
An ambulance arrived, and Minardi eventually agreed to go to the hospital.
Minardi was cited for having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Officers noted they could not charge him with operating under the influence since the car was not on when they arrived.
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