Back in 2010, Seth Castillo, an officer with the Phoenix Police Department, was found passed out behind the wheel of his car with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. He was tased, and he sued the Gilbert Police Department for use of excessive force.
On Wednesday, ABC15 learned Officer Castillo was placed on paid administrative leave while Phoenix police investigate a recent "use of force incident."
In 2010, Gilbert police officers found the officer in his car at a neighborhood intersection near his home. They said they had trouble waking the off-duty police officer up. Once alert, they had trouble getting him to cooperate.
Castillo even told officers that he'd kill them.
"Jesus (expletive) Christ, I'll kill you," he said in a recorded conversation.
Castillo was tased by police after he wouldn't follow officer's orders.
He was arrested and faced DUI charges. His blood alcohol level was .173, which is twice the legal limit.
Castillo continued to work with the Phoenix Police Department during the time of the incident, he was not placed on administrative leave.
Phoenix police released this statement back in 2010:
"Phoenix Police Department policy does not mandate that officers be placed on administrative leave for all incidents of misconduct, when an internal investigation is being conducted."
Castillo sued the Gilbert Police Department saying they used excessive force when they arrested him. Gilbert police say they tased him as it appeared the man might draw a weapon at the time of the incident.
Stay with ABC15 for updates as we continue to investigate the recent use of force incident Castillo was placed on administrative leave for.
Take a look at the statistics on Phoenix Police's use of force from previous years. (For a fullscreen view, click here.)
