HPD officer accused of taking bribe during traffic ticket sting

(1/20/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A 20-year veteran of the Houston Police Department is accused of accepting cash during a traffic ticket sting.

A special unit with an HPD's internal affairs division initiated this traffic sting operation. It's called the 'proactive unit' and members of this particular unit investigate serious complaints against other officers. So someone at some point must have become suspicious of Officer Alfred Alaniz.

Officer Alaniz is an accident investigator who joined the force back in 1986 and is now facing felony bribery charges. He's accused taking cash in exchange for not issuing a traffic citation.

Officer Alaniz was arrested yesterday about an hour after pulling over an undercover officer in the 6000 block of the South Loop East near Mykawa. The undercover officer told Alaniz he didn't have a license or insurance and then according to police, that undercover officer displayed cash. Officer Alaniz allegedly agreed to take about $200 and let the undercover officer go.

The veteran officer has been relieved of duty. He reportedly posted bond and is now out of jail. He's scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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