Westborough, Mass. – A body‑camera recording obtained by NBC10 Boston shows Westborough Police Chief Todd Minardi sitting in his unmarked SUV with an open bottle of Tito’s vodka in the driver’s seat. The footage, taken during a wellbeing check by Shrewsbury police on Oct. 23, reveals the chief was in the vehicle for over 24 hours after purchasing the alcohol the previous morning.
Incident details
Shrewsbury officers conducting a routine wellbeing check discovered the SUV parked in a local lot just after noon on Friday. An officer knocked on the window, opened the door and found Chief Minardi holding the open bottle. The officer immediately radioed for a supervisor and asked the chief to keep his hands on the steering wheel.
“Chief, keep them on the steering wheel. We’re treating you with respect, keep them on the steering wheel,” the officer said. Minardi responded that he was “fine” but was slow to obey commands. When asked how long he had been in the vehicle, he answered “hours,” despite witnesses and surveillance video indicating the car had been stationary since the morning of Oct. 22.
The situation escalated when the officer warned, “You’ve done this long enough. I don’t want to have to do something bad today. Just please keep your hands on the steering wheel.” A lieutenant arrived, confirmed the chief was unarmed and was wearing civilian clothing rather than his uniform.
Community reaction and town response
A local business owner who had called 911 after noticing the vehicle parked in the same spot since the previous morning testified that the chief appeared slumped and unresponsive. “I saw a bottle of Tito’s, but it looked like he wasn’t moving,” the owner told officers. “I worried that he was dead. That was my main concern.”
First responders later told police that Minardi’s wife called to say “he had been missing for two days.” During the encounter, the chief repeatedly apologized, saying, “I’m sorry to put you in this position.” He also answered a simple question about the number of quarters in a dollar with “25,” underscoring his impaired state.
Administrative action
Westborough town leaders announced on Oct. 24 that Chief Minardi has been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation. The town will retain an outside investigator to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine any appropriate disciplinary measures.
Town Manager [Name Not Provided] declined to comment on any updates when approached by NBC10 Boston, and Chief Minardi has not returned requests for comment.
Legal and procedural context
Police issued a citation for an open container of alcohol in the department vehicle. The incident highlights the importance of clear departmental policies regarding off‑duty conduct and the handling of alcohol by law‑enforcement officials. Westborough officials have emphasized their commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that the outside investigation will be conducted independently of the police department.
Community members and local leaders are watching the investigation closely, emphasizing the need for trustworthy public‑safety leadership that upholds the values of family, faith, and individual liberty that define Westborough’s community fabric.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
