A member of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s security team has been placed on suspension after a shocking incident where he showed up intoxicated for his overnight shift.
The police report reveals that Josue Najera, a 44-year-old officer, arrived at his post drunk following a celebration for Donald Trump’s inauguration at Trump Tower.
Intoxicated Arrival and Erratic Behavior
Najera, who was tasked with guarding the mayor’s residence, reported for his 10-hour overnight shift at 9 p.m. but showed clear signs of intoxication.
The police report states that he was agitated, speaking loudly, and behaving erratically throughout the night.
When a supervisor questioned his conduct, Najera allegedly confessed to having spent the day at a lavish event in Trump Tower before coming to work.
Breathalyzer Test and Immediate Action
After his erratic behavior was noticed, Najera was subjected to a breathalyzer test.
The results showed a blood alcohol content of 0.134 percent, more than double Illinois’ legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Following the test, he was stripped of his police powers, and his gun was confiscated.
He was then taken to the 15th District station for further questioning.
The following day, Najera turned in his badge, ID, and hat shield.
He was reassigned to a different department within the police force while awaiting further disciplinary action.
A 25-day suspension has been recommended, although it has yet to be served.
Disruptive Behavior at Trump Tower
The incident began earlier in the evening when Najera attended a viewing event at Trump Tower, which ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Prior to his shift, Najera reportedly demanded to sit in a police squad car around 7 p.m., but a uniformed colleague denied his request.
Upset, Najera called the 18th District station to file a complaint against the officer, which led to a confrontation later that evening.
When he arrived at the mayor’s home, Najera’s behavior was noticeably out of character.
According to a supervising sergeant, he was agitated, avoided eye contact, and seemed off compared to his usual demeanor.
The sergeant asked him directly if he had been drinking, to which Najera admitted to having consumed alcohol, claiming his last drink was around 6:30 p.m., two and a half hours before his shift started.
Investigation and Reassignment
Multiple CPD supervisors were notified about the situation, and the disciplinary process began swiftly.
As a result, Najera has been reassigned to the police department’s Alternate Response Section.
He joined the Chicago Police Department in 2017 and had been serving on Mayor Johnson’s security detail since August 2023.
Despite this, Najera has no prior complaints or incidents on his record.
With a 25-day suspension recommended, the case continues to unfold.
What comes next for Officer Najera remains to be seen.