El Paso police lieutenant, sergeant arrested on sexual harassment allegations

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details in the court affidavits.

Two El Paso police supervisors were arrested Wednesday on charges of official oppression for allegedly sexually harassing two female officers, officials said.

Lt. John Edgar Surface, 43, and Sgt. Adan Chavez, 44, were booked into the El Paso County Jail and released via the Fast Track Booking program, which allows persons to bond out as quickly as 45 minutes, police officials said.

"The allegations were brought forward by two female police officers, prompting an investigation by our Special Investigation Unit. The investigation revealed disturbing incidents involving explicit requests and coercive behavior by Surface and Chavez," the El Paso Police Department said in a news statement.

The allegations should not reflect on the "great work" being done by more than 1,100 officers and more than 270 civilian personnel of the El Paso Police Department, interim Police Chief Peter Pacillas said at a Thursday news conference at El Paso Police Headquarters.

Surface and Chavez were supervisors in the Crime Scene Unit, Pacillas said.

The lieutenant is accused of making sexual advances, asking for nude photos and requesting other sexual favors from two women subordinates for several years, according to the warrant affidavit. Surface offered the women promotions, transfers to other units and even promotion test answers as part of the sexual misconduct , documents state.

Chavez is accused of knowing about Surface's conduct, but doing nothing to report it or stop it, the warrant affidavit states. At times, Chavez, who worked in Surface's chain of command, enabled the sexual harassment, documents allege.

The investigation began earlier this summer around June, when allegations of sexual harassment were brought forward, Pacillas said.

The allegations date back to 2018 until May of this year, police said. Details on the allegations have not been disclosed.

"I encourage anybody, whether it's in our organization or any organization, to report misconduct," Pacillas said. The department has training on sexual harassment in accordance with city policies and there is an additional course being worked on at the police academy, he said.

"We want everybody to feel comfortable and safe in the environment they work in and we want them to understand it doesn't matter what gender they are, but anybody can report any allegations of misconduct," Pacillas said.

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Both men have been relieved of duty. Surface has been with the Police Department for 19 years and Chavez has 21 years with the department, officials said.

Surface was relieved of duty several weeks ago and Chavez was relieved of duty on Wednesday. Both are on paid leave, Pacillas added.

Under Texas law, the crime of official oppression includes a public servant acting under the color of their office, or employment, intentionally subjecting another person to sexual harassment.

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Surface is accused of two counts of official oppression. He was released on $15,000 surety bond on each charge, according to jail records.

Chavez, who faces one count of official oppression, was released under a $7,500 surety bond.

The officers were booked into jail and released on Wednesday afternoon via the Fast Track Booking program, which is available to the public who chose to surrender and have bail arrangements prepared.

Several El Paso police misconduct arrests

The arrests of Surface and Chavez follows the arrests of five EPPD officers announced last month in three separate cases, including an alleged hit-and-run cover-up, a domestic violence case and an alleged rape five years ago.

Last December, another officer was arrested for allegedly trying to hide a cellphone to film female officers undressing in a locker room at the Westside Regional Command Center, among other charges.

The El Paso Police Department said in a statement that it is "committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability within its ranks."

The department added, "These allegations are taken with the utmost seriousness, as the well-being and trust of our officers and the community are of paramount importance. Such behavior not only contradicts the values of our department but also undermines the collaborative and respectful environment we strive to foster."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Two El Paso police supervisors arrested in sexual harassment cases