Manny Guaderrama, the longtime San Diego police captain who was set to become police chief of the Central California wine country town of Paso Robles, has bowed out in the wake of controversy over alleged preferential treatment of his son in an alleged drunken incident here.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jan/04/37882/

According to a report posted online today by CalCoastNews.com, Guaderrama's hiring had been "conditionally approved" last month by Paso Robles officials, but he withdrew from consideration yesterday "citing personal matters."

In October, 23-year-old Alex Guaderrama was charged with multiple counts of sexual battery and assault regarding an drunken incident at a Pacific Beach taco shop in which he allegedly grabbed a woman's breast and punched another.

Instead of being jailed, he was reportedly treated by police for minor injuries and ferried home to his mother in La Mesa.

Central Coast TV station KCOY reported that the city of Paso Robles said a search for another candidate would soon begin:

"Avery Associates will start doing the interview process, fortunately for the city the contract reads that we will not be charged," said Mayor Duane Picanco. The first search process cost the city roughly 19-thousand dollars and during the past year 60 applicants were interviewed.

"I would expect there will be a majority of new candidates, additional candidates," said Mayor Picanco. Although the city is sad to see Guaderrama go, they are confident they will find the right, new top cop. "I know he was capable, I know he was qualified, he is a good man, but I'm sure we can find another one," said Mayor Picanco.

As we noted back in July, among other police roles in San Diego, Guaderrama was lobbied by Marco Polo Cortes on behalf of the Greyhound bus company “regarding traffic control during events at Petco Park.”