San Antonio police officer suspended for driving at excessive speeds nearly 100 times

The San Antonio Police Department has temporarily suspended an officer for speeding nearly 100 times in his patrol vehicle, at least four of those times with a prisoner in his custody, the Express-News reports.

As punishment for his lead foot, Officer Elliott E. Torres received a 45-day suspension, which began Feb. 26, according to the disciplinary records cited by the daily.

Last summer, an SAPD higher-up warned Torres to watch his speed when behind the wheel of his patrol car and told the officer his driving would be monitored for 90 days, the Express-News reports. As part of that driving audit, Torres was required to switch on a mobile recording device when responding to calls.

However, Torres didn’t turn on the device, according to documents cited by the paper. He later explained that he didn’t want to be punished for responding to calls that “required a quick response.” A second audit found Torres continued to disregard speed limits while on duty, the Express-News reports. What’s more, he engaged in unsafe driving maneuvers, didn’t come to a complete stop when required and didn’t use his patrol car’s emergency lights and sirens, according to records reported on by the paper.

Torres used excessive speed 97 times, displaying a failure to “use sound judgment,” the daily reports, citing SAPD documents.   

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This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.