Dallas Cop Busted on Domestic Violence Charges, "Not Sober" When Arrested

Here in Dallas, it's very hot and staying that way as we endure a record-breaking heat wave.  Day after day of 100+ degree weather.  So, it's understandable that tempers are rising and that domestic violence calls are high.  It's not as easy to understand when one of those domestic violence events involves the cops: not the cops coming to the scene, but a cop smack dab in the middle of it. 

Seems that this weekend Dallas police officer Rafael Mendoza, on the force to protect and serve since December 2008, was arrested by his fellow law enforcement officers on charges of domestic violence.  Specifically, Mendoza has been charged with (1) domestic assault and (2) unlawful restraint, two Class A misdemeanors under the Texas Penal Code. 

Mendoza's also on administrative leave pending an Internal Affairs investigation (as well as the criminal investigation).  He won't face jail time, maybe he will be looking for another type of employment.  Have to wait and see on that one.

What happened for a Dallas Cop to get busted for Domestic Assault and Unlawful Restraint?

This past Sunday, according to media and police reports, Officer Mendoza was setting in a car parked near an apartment complex on San Jacinto.  It was a hot day, and apparently Mendoza was getting hot under the collar, arguing with a woman about an ex-girlfriend as they sat in the car.

It's reported that Mendoza and the woman stepped out of the vehicle - and that Mendoza then shoved the woman onto the ground, slammed plastic handcuffs on her, and telling her she was about to go to prison for 10 or 15 years. 

Scary stuff, right? 

After about an hour setting there in the parking lot, in the heat of that Dallas Sunday afternoon, Mendoza escorted the woman up to her apartment.  He un-cuffed her. 

Around 2 hours later, Officer Mendoza was busted by his colleagues.  It's reported that he was "not sober" at the time.