A California police officer in scorching water after allegedly being discovered drunk whereas working the delicate scene of an toddler kidnapping.

San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata reported the incident throughout a Tuesday press convention, and in addition supplied an apology on behalf of the division to the toddler's household. The incident with the unnamed officer, which occurred on April 25, left Mata "disenchanted and dismayed."

"I apologize to the household of three-month-old Brandon Cuellar," Mata mentioned, in accordance with KTLA. "When any officer... tarnishes the badge, all of us undergo the results."

Cuellar was reportedly kidnapped from his grandmother's house in San Jose final week. The officer's conduct on the scene prompted alarm and suspicion from an FBI agent who was additionally current. The agent later reported their issues in regards to the officer to the division.

drunk police officer san jose
A San Jose police officer was discovered to have been drunk final week whereas dealing with a case of an toddler kidnapping. Above, a representational picture of beer bottles.Buda Mendes/Getty Photographs

Cuellar was discovered protected the subsequent day, about 5 miles away from the place he was taken, with two suspects arrested within the kidnapping.

The officer was discovered to have been drunk whereas canvassing the realm across the grandmother's house on April 25 whereas on the lookout for proof and witnesses.

On the press convention, Mata and Assistant Chief Paul Joseph have been peppered with questions on how such conduct may have occurred. One reporter, in accordance with KTLA, requested why different San Jose Law enforcement officials weren't in a position to discover that the officer was intoxicated.

"That could be a legitimate query," Joseph responded. "That is a part of what we have to examine. We have to discover out if there have been officers [that] both ought to have, or may have, acknowledged one thing with their colleague and did not."

The officer's title and rank inside the division haven't but been publicly disclosed. The total punishment for the officer shall be determined following an entire investigation into the state of affairs.

"I anticipate officers to return to work and serve and maintain them to the best requirements. We consider in obligation, honor, integrity," Mata added. "I cannot tolerate inappropriate habits."

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was additionally current on the press convention, and raised issues in regards to the development of substance abuse amongst officers. This incident got here solely weeks after one other officer, De'Jon Packer, was discovered lifeless in his house from a fentanyl overdose.

"And mixed with what we all know of the loss of life of Officer Packer, it is apparent we have to redouble our efforts," Liccardo mentioned. "I assist the chief's efforts to make sure acceptable provision of therapy and psychological well being companies to the entire officers. We are going to embody a requirement for random drug and alcohol testing for all of our officers. It is obvious that this must be made common within the division."

Newsweek reached out to the San Jose Police Division for remark.