HOUSTON – A veteran law enforcement officer has been relieved of duty, but he said he has not done anything wrong.
Robert Lozano has been with the METRO Police Department for seven years. He was last assigned to supervise the department's tactical operations unit.
METRO has opened an investigation into Lozano for what it terms "improper conduct." The agency wouldn't comment on the specifics, but sources said some officers under Lozano's command complained that he withheld overtime assignments as a means of retaliation.
"Sergeant Lozano has been relieved of duty, with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation. I want stress to the public that all officers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and disciplinary action will be taken if necessary," METRO Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said.
Lozano's attorney also issued a statement.
"We are confident that he will be exonerated from whatever allegations have been made after a full impartial investigation," attorney Dan Krieger said.
Lozano is a highly-placed union official and serves on as president of its state executive board. He is also the longtime president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 98.
Lozano has not been accused of a crime, but he could lose his job if METRO determines the allegations to be true.
Before joining METRO, Lozano worked as a deputy constable in precincts four, five and seven.