A San Antonio police officer received a 30-day unpaid suspension after an off-duty night at a West Side bar allegedly ended with him intoxicated, armed and lying unresponsive in the parking lot. Officer Jacob A. Barcena, who has served as an SAPD peace officer since 2017, was arrested after the Nov. 22, 2025, incident. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office later rejected the criminal case against him. SAPD, however, continued with a separate administrative investigation into his conduct.

Bexar County sheriff’s deputies were called to Talley’s Pub, located at 12991 Potranco Road, shortly after midnight following reports of a disturbance. According to SAPD disciplinary records, a deputy’s body-worn camera showed Barcena lying unresponsive in the establishment’s parking lot. A bar employee told the deputy that Barcena had become intoxicated and fallen asleep inside the business. The employee also alleged that a physical confrontation occurred when he approached Barcena, leading to the officer being removed from the bar.

Employee Reportedly Removed Officer’s Handgun

The employee told investigators that Barcena was carrying a handgun while allegedly intoxicated. According to the suspension records, the employee removed the weapon from Barcena’s belt and secured it inside the establishment. SAPD concluded that Barcena’s alleged involvement in the altercation and possession of a handgun while intoxicated brought discredit to both himself and the department.

Supervisors from SAPD’s Street Crimes Unit were notified and responded as part of the department’s preliminary administrative investigation. Those supervisors later reported that Barcena appeared intoxicated and was not fit for duty when they encountered him. SAPD determined that he had been intoxicated in public view and had consumed alcohol to an extent that left him unable to report for duty. Although Barcena was off duty when the disturbance occurred, SAPD policies regulate certain conduct by officers both on and off duty.

SAPD Says Barcena Disrespected a Commander

The department’s investigation also reviewed body-camera footage recorded by an SAPD Street Crimes Unit supervisor. According to the disciplinary order, the footage captured Barcena making several statements to an SAPD command supervisor identified as the night captain. Investigators wrote that those statements could be interpreted as disrespectful. SAPD ultimately determined that Barcena failed to exhibit the respect toward a supervisory officer required under department policy.

Criminal Case Rejected, but Department Imposes Discipline

The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office rejected the criminal case arising from Barcena’s arrest. A rejection means prosecutors declined to pursue the case and is separate from SAPD’s internal disciplinary process. Administrative investigations use different procedures and standards than criminal prosecutions. As a result, the department was able to impose employment-related discipline despite the DA’s decision.

Barcena was served with a contemplated 30-day suspension on April 7, 2026, and was given an opportunity to respond directly to then-Police Chief William McManus. After Barcena exercised that right, he and McManus agreed that the officer would serve the full 30-day suspension without pay. The suspension began June 7, and ended July 6, amounting to 144 unpaid working hours. Barcena also waived his right to appeal the discipline or ask an administrative or judicial body to alter its terms.

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