A San Antonio police officer has been indefinitely suspended without pay after an internal investigation sustained multiple allegations of sexual harassment, discriminatory remarks, and conduct undermining the integrity of the department.

In a June 24, 2025 suspension order, Police Chief William P. McManus ruled that Officer Emilio J. De La Rosa, badge #0723, had engaged in behavior “detrimental to effective law enforcement and the needs of the San Antonio Police Department,” leaving the department with “good cause for depriving Officer De La Rosa of his position.”

The decision followed Internal Affairs case IA2025-0311, which examined two consecutive shifts in February 2025 that investigators say revealed repeated violations of SAPD policy and the City’s Civil Service rules.

The February 20 DWI Arrest

Shortly before midnight on February 20, 2025, De La Rosa responded to a major crash at San Pedro Avenue and Fresno Street. An individual involved in the wreck was arrested for DWI, and another SAPD officer — riding along for DWI investigation training — observed De La Rosa’s conduct throughout the incident.

Later that night, at the Central Patrol substation, the trainee officer witnessed De La Rosa speaking with a DWI Unit sergeant. After the meeting, the officer asked about the sergeant’s concerns. De La Rosa allegedly dismissed them outright:

“Sergeant does not know what he is talking about.”

Investigators concluded the comment appeared to undermine the supervisor’s authority and violated the department’s rule requiring respect toward supervisory officers.

Early Morning of February 21 — Alleged Harassment and Offensive Remarks

The next morning, between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., De La Rosa was in the DWI processing room at the City Detention Center. According to multiple officers, this is where a series of inappropriate remarks took place.

The Kneeling Comment

While one female officer was on her knees searching for a laptop charging cable, De La Rosa allegedly told her she “no longer needed to be on her knees because she had already been selected for the DWI Unit.”

In a sworn statement to Internal Affairs, the officer explained:

“Considering I had only one month on the DWI unit, I took that as a sexually harassing comment about my selection to the unit. I felt very embarrassed and ashamed to be around other probationary officers and to have been in a disadvantaged position when he made the comment.”

Childbirth Remarks

In another reported incident from that same morning, a different officer said De La Rosa made a personal and offensive remark about her childbirth history, stating:

“Birth only counts when it is a natural delivery.”

She described taking the comment “very personal.”

Diversity Comments

Multiple witnesses also reported that De La Rosa criticized the department’s staffing of the DWI Unit, saying there would be “too many” female and Black officers and referring to several colleagues as “diversity hires.” These statements were classified by SAPD as discriminatory.

Department’s Findings

The investigation sustained violations of three City Civil Service rules:

• Discourtesy to a fellow employee while in the line of duty
• Conduct prejudicial to good order
• Violation of an applicable police department rule or special order

It also confirmed breaches of SAPD General Manual procedures on preventing harassment and discrimination, maintaining professionalism, and respecting supervisors.

Chief McManus concluded that De La Rosa’s actions, taken together, “render his continuance in office detrimental to effective law enforcement” and that public trust demanded his removal from duty.

Appeal Rights and Next Steps

Under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143, De La Rosa has 15 days from receipt of the suspension order to file an appeal, either with the Fire Fighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission or through arbitration. If he chooses arbitration, his ability to later appeal to district court may be limited under the collective bargaining agreement between the City of San Antonio and the police union.

If his separation stands, De La Rosa will be responsible for meeting Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing and training requirements to maintain his peace officer certification.

Broader Implications

Indefinite suspensions — effectively terminations under Texas civil service law — are among the most severe disciplinary measures SAPD can impose. They are typically reserved for conduct that not only violates department policy but also, in the department’s view, compromises its credibility and ability to serve the community.

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