Following a series of assault charges and pending court hearings, an El Paso Police Department officer, Joshua Anthony Gallardo, has been officially relieved of his duties. The termination of the former officer, who had been on administrative leave following the charges, was announced this past Thursday. The history of assault allegations against Gallardo stretches back to at least 2023, when he was accused of choking and punching a woman while driving his truck, as reported by KTSM.
More recently, jail records indicated that Gallardo faced arrest on February 27 for additional charges, including assaulting a family member, terroristic threats causing fear of serious bodily injury, and assault impeding breathing or circulation, CBS4 Local states. His bond totaled $30,000 for all three charges, though Gallardo managed to post bail and was released the same day. A jury trial related to assault charges is scheduled for him on April 25, with specific incident details pending clarification.
The termination brings to a close Gallardo's tenure with the EPPD, which spanned over three years, and calls into question the conduct and oversight within the department. Originally assigned to the Mission Valley Regional Command Center, Gallardo continued to operate in an administrative capacity until his dismissal this week. The latest arrest that contributed to his termination involved allegations of domestic abuse, a serious concern that ties back to an initial 2023 arrest where, as per ABC-7, "bystanders kept hold of Gallardo until officers arrived" after he allegedly hit and choked the victim.
