Defenders Debrief: Rules allow suspended SAPD officers to collect paycheck

City paid out nearly $400,000 in 3 1/2-years

SAN ANTONIO – In their latest investigation, the KSAT Defenders found during a 3 1/2-year period the San Antonio Police Department paid close to $400,000 to officers told not to show up to work. 

Due to civil service rules, officers still collected a salary, while being investigated — sometimes some of those suspended were facing felony charges. The Defenders found some officers on paid leave for as long as 16 months. 

A vast majority of the officers suspended never returned to the force. 

Dillon Collier sat down with Mark Austin and Leslie Mouton to talk about the protocol, how the numbers break down and what would happen if civil services rules did not exist. 


About the Authors:

Emmy-award winning reporter Dillon Collier joined KSAT Investigates in September 2016. Dillon's investigative stories air weeknights on the Nightbeat and on the Six O'Clock News. Dillon is a two-time Houston Press Club Journalist of the Year and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Reporter of the Year.