Former EPPD officer arrested; allegedly impersonated a public servant

A former El Paso Police Officer was arrested for allegedly impersonating a public servant.

At about 4:25 pm Thursday, a state police officer pulled 39-year-old Michael Arzaga over on Loop 375 near mile marker 35 out in the county.

During the traffic stop, Arzaga allegedly displayed an El Paso Police Officer identification card and stated he was an officer.

Further investigation by the trooper revealed Arzaga was no longer employed by the El Paso Police Department.

The trooper arrested Arzaga, later charged with “Impersonating a Public Servant.”

Arzaga was booked into the El Paso County Jail for the charge and multiple misdemeanor warrants.

An EPPD spokesman confirmed Arzaga was among the 15 EPPD officers who resigned in October 2011 after they were indicted for allegedly misusing government funds.

At the time, the district attorney’s office told ABC-7 a grand jury indicted Arzaga on 15 counts of “Tampering with Government Records” in connection with a case involving the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.

The U.S. Department of Transportation operates two enforcement grant programs that the El Paso Police Department participates in, including STEP.

In 2011, El Paso police spokesman Darrel Petry said the alleged misuse of funds involved officers allegedly classifying their overtime hours under the STEP program.

Arzaga resigned soon after the indictment.