San Antonio Police Officers Suspended for Violating Pursuit Policy

Two San Antonio police officers have been suspended for violating the department’s pursuit policy, according to records.

Officer Colton Richter received a five-day suspension, while Officer Lorenzo Vela is serving a 15-day suspension for their involvement in a February 2024 chase.

Records indicate that Vela attempted to pull over a black BMW in the 3300 block of West Poplar Street, suspecting that the car’s paper plates had been tampered with.

Richter positioned his vehicle behind Vela to provide cover, but the black car fled as Vela exited his vehicle, prompting both officers to initiate pursuit.

The black car proceeded to speed away, driving against oncoming traffic and running through a red light.

According to the suspension records, Richter pursued the vehicle against department policy and without supervisor approval, intermittently using his emergency lights, driving against traffic, and exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 miles per hour.

The chase culminated in a crash at SW 29th Street and Randall Avenue, after which the suspect fled on foot.

Vela apprehended the suspect, with body camera footage capturing him using “unnecessary verbal abuse” during the arrest.

Further records indicate that Richter muted his body camera upon apprehending the suspect, while Vela muted his before the conclusion of the incident.

Both Richter and Vela are three-year veterans of the San Antonio Police Department.

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