SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio firefighter has been suspended 45 days after being arrested for public intoxication off duty, suspension paperwork obtained by The Defenders confirmed Friday.
Ryan Pollok, a 15-year veteran of the San Antonio Fire Department, was originally handed an indefinite suspension last month after he admitted to drinking six beers and then driving when he left a concert in La Vernia on May 14.
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The indefinite suspension was later shortened to 45 days, as part of a "release and settlement agreement" signed by SAFD Chief Charles Hood.
A La Vernia Police Department arrest report obtained by The Defenders indicates that Pollok ran over a sign while leaving the concert in the 200 block of San Antonio Road.
Pollock then failed a field sobriety test, according to the report.
La Vernia police Chief Bruce Ritchey told The Defenders via telephone Friday that Pollok was not charged with DWI because he was out of the vehicle by the time officers arrived on scene.
A handgun was also seized from Pollok's vehicle, but he was not charged with unlawful carry of a weapon, according to the arrest report.
Bexar County court records indicate that Pollok was charged with intoxication assault and DWI in 2009.
Records show both charges were later dismissed.
An SAFD spokesman said via email that Pollok was scheduled to return from suspension Sunday.
Hood explained the rationale for Pollok's 45-day suspension in a written statement released to The Defenders Friday afternoon:
"San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) Fire Engineer Ryan Pollok was arrested on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 in La Vernia, Texas. He was charged with Public Intoxication, however, it was also noted that he was operating a motor vehicle at time of his arrest. He subsequently admitted to such. Engineer Pollok has been employed with the SAFD since February of 2001 and is currently assigned to the EMS Division. The SAFD takes this charge very seriously, and due to the high standards we continually set for our members, as well as the justifiably high expectations our community has for us, Engineer Pollok was given an indefinite suspension. Because of the compassion we practice with each and every one of our members, a Release and Settlement Agreement was settled upon and his indefinite suspension was reduced to a 45 day suspension without pay. He is currently serving that suspension. Engineer Pollok is a highly trained and valued member of our SAFD family and, as with every disciplinary action, we look forward to the lessons that can be learned and moving forward from this incident so that we may continue to provide the highest level of service to the City of San Antonio."