Weslaco police captain placed on administrative leave

WESLACO — A Weslaco police captain was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, officials said.

Ted Walensky is on leave with pay due to an ongoing investigation “regarding untruthfulness,” according to a statement the Weslaco Police Department issued last week.

A home phone listing for Walensky was not found in the Weslaco area.

The statement did not specify what Walensky allegedly lied about or provide further details into the probe. Weslaco Police Chief Jose Perez did not return phone calls last week seeking comment.

“Under standard operating procedures, the Weslaco Police department does not comment on an administrative and personnel matters related to continuing investigations,” the statement reads. “No personnel action has been taken against Walensky, and he will be afforded the appropriate due process.”

Weslaco City Attorney Ramon Vela and Mayor Buddy de la Rosa did not return phone calls made last week.

Walensky is one of two captains who were stripped of their rank last year to create an assistant chief position with the Weslaco Police Department. Their demotion made room for Baudelio Castillo to fill the new spot — the union’s contract with the city does not permit the department to fill all three positions at once.

But an arbitration ruling handed down last month by the American Arbitration Association, a New York City-based private organization that administers arbitration proceedings, reversed Castillo’s promotion and Walensky’s demotion.

The association found that the chief did not have the authority to create certain positions and eliminate old ones, dodging terms agreed upon under collective bargaining between the city and the Weslaco Municipal Police Association.

Meanwhile, Castillo is fighting to retain his seat as assistant chief. He filed for a temporary injunction and received it on March 4. An injunction hearing has been slated for Tuesday, when a judge will have the opportunity to decide whether to force the city to allow Castillo to retain his role as assistant chief. He will retain his position in the meantime.