Body cam shows Massachusetts police chief found in unmarked cruiser with vodka

Body cam shows police chief found in unmarked cruiser with bottles of vodka Advertisement Updated: 9:46 PM EST Nov 7, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Todd Kazakiewich Reporter Phil Tenser Digital Media Manager Body cam shows police chief found in unmarked cruiser with bottles of vodka Updated: 9:46 PM EST Nov 7, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Todd Kazakiewich Reporter Phil Tenser Digital Media Manager Police body camera footage obtained by Hearst sister station WCVB shows officers discovering the chief of a nearby department in an unmarked cruiser with two bottles of vodka last month. Westborough, Massachusetts, Police Chief Todd Minardi was placed on leave following the incident in Shrewsbury on Oct. 23. The town also announced that it was taking steps to retain an outside investigator. Advertisement A report written by a lieutenant of the Shrewsbury Police Department indicates that Minardi was found sleeping in a vehicle in the area of 507 Boston Turnpike. The report states that Minardi was dressed in street clothes in his unmarked police cruiser. Body camera footage from Shrewsbury police shows officers approaching the vehicle just before 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 23. Officer Tyler Vlass opened the door and said, "What's going on?" Minardi, who was off duty, was holding a bottle of liquor in his right hand. "We got a call for your well-being. The car's been here for a while, they said. We want to make sure you're okay," Vlass said. "Yeah," Minardi replied. 'He saved my life': Police officer rescues woman from van stuck in floodwaters The 911 call that prompted the welfare check came from a man who works nearby. "It just looks like he's passed out in the car and I just want somebody to check on him," the caller said. When asked by Shrewsbury Officer Kevin Warwick if he had made the call, the man confirmed, saying, "Yeah. I was worried because I saw that car there yesterday. He was here since yesterday." A Westborough police lieutenant arrived at the scene, and Minardi repeatedly apologized. "I'm sorry," Minardi said. "What's that?" Lt. Kevin Caviston asked. Westborough Police Department "I'm sorry," Minardi repeated. "Nothing to be sorry about," Caviston said. "I'm sorry to put you in this position," Minardi added. An ambulance arrived, and Minardi eventually agreed to go to the hospital. Minardi was cited for having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Officers noted they could not charge him with operating under the influence since the car was not on when they arrived. Police identify boy, man killed when pickup drove onto Kansas soccer fields Make WTAE a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks 76-foot Christmas tree arrives at Rockefeller Center High school band member stunned as 'Thunderstruck' performance goes viral Defense attorney for man convicted in Tupac murder trial found dead in Las Vegas Watch: Giant pandas make much-anticipated debut at Zoo Atlanta