WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WKBW) — A West Seneca police officer was arraigned Thursday after he allegedly had an on-duty sexual encounter with a victim of domestic violence.
According to the Erie County Dustrict Attorney's Office, 35-year-old Derek Vazquez a West Seneca police officer, allegedly had an on-duty sexual encounter with a victim of domestic violence in January 2019.
Vasquez had previous contact with the victim after filing a domestic violence report for her in the weeks prior, according to the DA's office.
The DA also says Vasquez went to the home of the victim for no other purposes other than a sexual encounter, he was not dispatched to the location for an official call.
The West Seneca Police Department released this statement on the matter Friday afternoon:
"Earlier this month, the West Seneca Police Department was notified by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office that they had opened up an investigation against Town of West Seneca Police Officer Derek Vasquez, involving accusations of his involvement in inappropriate, on duty behavior. At that time, Officer Vasquez was immediately placed on Administrative Leave from the Department and a parallel Internal Investigation was opened.
As has been reported, Officer Vasquez was criminally charged by the New York State Police and the District Attorney. The West Seneca Police Department has fully cooperated with the DA and NYSP during the criminal investigatory stage, and continues to work closely with those agencies as part of the Internal Affairs process."
Vasquez faces one count of official misconduct and faces up to one year in jail , he is due back in court January 24th at 11 a.m.
