Assistant County Manager Sue Padilla made the decision today to reinstate Barela, who had been on paid administrative leave since Feb. 20.
Padilla made the decision because County Manager Brian Haines is out of the office.
Barela, 42, was arrested on Feb. 17 and hit with the misdemeanor charges following an incident at his home. He called police to help with a suicidal man the county identifies as his cousin.
Barela challenged an officer’s attempt to use a taser on the man, but Barela disputes the criminal charges.
The decision to reinstate Barela follows an internal investigation that found “minor lapses” in booking protocol at the jail, but concluded that Barela “was not found to have sought any special treatment,” a county news release states.
Essentially, Barela wasn’t photographed when he was originally booked, and had to return later to complete the process.
Padilla has ordered additional training for booking staff “to ensure that all arrivals to the facility are treated exactly the same in the future,” the release states.
As to the charges, the news release notes that they are misdemeanors, and states that Barela “will keep management apprised of all pertinent developments in his case as it moves forward.”
The county has no further comment at this time, Padilla said, other than to say that Barela “has the full support of management and is fit to resume his duties. The personnel issues have been addressed, and will be evaluated further only if developments arise that merit further action.”
A prior version of this posting incorrectly characterized the charges against Barela.