Newly released bodycam footage shows police officers discovering Westborough Police Chief Todd Minardi slumped over in his vehicle, surrounded by vodka bottles. The incident occurred on October 23 near 507 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, shortly before 12:30 p.m.
Officers responding to a welfare check found the off-duty chief, dressed in plain clothes, in his car with an open bottle of Tito's vodka. The footage depicts Minardi ignoring commands from officers to place his hands on the steering wheel, instead holding them in the air and appearing slow to respond to questions. He repeatedly stated he was "good" while officers attempted to de-escalate the situation.
An officer radioed for a supervisor and noted the chief's department-issued firearm. "You've done this long enough. I don't want to have to do something bad today," one officer told Minardi. "Just please keep your hands on the steering wheel."
A nearby worker prompted the welfare check after observing Minardi's vehicle parked in the same spot since the previous day. "I was worried because I saw that car there yesterday. He was here since yesterday," the worker told Shrewsbury Officer Kevin Warwick.
Westborough Police Lt. Kevin Caviston arrived at the scene, where Minardi apologized. Paramedics were called, and after initially refusing medical treatment, the chief agreed to go to the hospital. Minardi was cited for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Police could not charge him with operating under the influence as the vehicle was not running.
An incident report indicated that an empty bottle of Tito's vodka was also found inside the car. Surveillance footage showed Minardi purchasing alcohol the morning of October 22, and his vehicle remained parked until officers arrived the following afternoon. Minardi's wife also reportedly told first responders that he had been missing for two days.
The day after the incident, Westborough town officials announced that Minardi had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by an outside party.