Houston police Chief Charles McClelland disciplined one of his assistant chiefs and six other police officers for their conduct after an eastside patrol sergeant allegedly crashed into a school bus while intoxicated earlier this year, HPD officials confirmed.

On Tuesday, the department said McClelland had taken disciplinary action against members of his own command staff, a rare punishment, according to Gary Blankinship, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union.

"Chief McClelland issued the discipline he believes is consistent with the investigative findings," said HPD spokesman John Cannon. "All have the right to appeal their discipline."

Blankinship criticized the punishments, saying McClelland was "overreacting" and "heavy-handed," insisting that none of the officers had done anything wrong.

Last week, McClelland confirmed he had fired veteran Sgt. Ruben Trejo for his involvement in an April 13 wreck in which the officer hit a private school bus while driving to work in his personal vehicle. Blood tests drawn at a hospital indicated the officer had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

Open records request

Cannon said the department will not disclose the violations the officers are alleged to have committed, and referred to disciplinary orders McClelland has forwarded to city personnel offices. The Houston Chronicle filed an open records request Tuesday for the disciplinary actions and asked the city attorney's office to release them, but no action was taken.

Assistant Chief Dan Perales, who heads the East Patrol Command which includes four patrol stations, was given a written reprimand for his conduct, as was Sgt. Paul Ogden.

2 suspended for a day

Two other supervisors from the East Side patrol station, Capt. Robert Manzo and Lt. Andrew King, have been suspended from their jobs for one day without pay, Cannon said.

In addition, three other HPD officers were given counseling by their supervisors for their actions, Cannon said.

HPOU legal counsel Robert Armbruster, who is representing Manzo and King, said he does not know if either officer will contest the discipline. He did release a statement from Manzo, who shortly after the wreck told reporters at the scene that blood tests would show Trejo was not under the influence of any substances.

"I have been a member of Houston Police Department for more than 29 years. I respect the chief's decision in this matter,'' Manzo said, in a statement released by Armbruster. "I will continue to serve and protect the citizens of Houston, as I have done for the past 29 years."

Blankinship said he believes the officers could have their punishments overturned if they appeal.

"Quite frankly, I'm a little disappointed in the chief on this one," Blankinship said. "I don't believe the investigation showed any signs of anyone violating the law, or trying to cover up violations of the law."

Officer sought top job

Perales, an HPD officer with more than 30 years experience, was one of a number of assistant chiefs who applied for the top job following the departure of former Chief Harold Hurtt in December 2009.

Perales has previously managed the department's Information Services Command, which is responsi- ble for records, identification and the property room.

Before that, Perales directed the North Patrol command and the Special Investigations Command, where he oversaw vice, narcotics and started the first gang division.

james.pinkerton@chron.com