Veto kills real police reform for another year
Sherry Robinson
Out of all the police reform legislation that rumbled through the Roundhouse recently, only one bill would have made a significant difference and the governor vetoed it.
The problem is, after a police shooting or excessive-use-of-force incident, the state’s investigation takes so long that a bad officer can resign from one department and get hired by another. The backlog of cases goes back two to three years.
SB 375 would have shaken up the Law Enforcement Academy Board and changed its duties. Created in 1969, the board sets requirements for hiring and certification, investigates officer misconduct, prescribes discipline, and oversees training. The bill would have given the board responsibility for new and better training and shifted the badly backlogged disciplinary and certification process to a new, independent board.
Letter to the editor: Sheriff improves community
Story by Submitted | Mar 14, 2021 | Letters, Opinion |
Editor:
I took office as Sandoval County sheriff two years ago, and since that time, I have worked tirelessly to improve the agency.
The sheriff’s office has moved forward and has made many first-ever improvements in this time frame. These improvements have had a major impact on the sheriff’s office and have helped to strengthen public safety in Sandoval County.
Such improvements include:
A yearly budget increase in areas such as overtime, uniforms, ammunition and training line items.
The purchase of body armor for all members of the sheriff’s office to replace expired armor.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico lawmakers advanced a bill toward a final Senate vote to eliminate police immunity from prosecution in state courts on civil rights violations ranging