What is a police officer? Most people think of the action (and not) you see on television. Running, shooting, chasing bad guys, drinking coffee and eating doughnuts. The most noble profession distilled down to entertaining highs and clichéed lows.
But what about a regular day in the real-world work of a law enforcement officer? Unattended deaths, child abuse cases, drive-by shootings, missing juveniles, belligerent drug addicts, shoplifters, fender benders, human trafficking, drug manufacturing, mountains of paperwork, training (physical, mental, firearm, etc.) and hours spent in courtrooms.
Even when our officers get a win – serving a warrant on a violent felon, for example – the suspect taunts them with “I’ll be out before your shift is over.” And it’s true. Just two weeks ago, a man was reportedly threatening another resident in his apartment complex with a gun, a bow and a knife. Police arrived, he allegedly brandished a firearm while ducking in and out of his apartment and was shot by officers when they say he pointed it at them. The firearm in question was eventually noted to be a replica firearm, which is impossible to distinguish from a real firearm even in a close photograph, let alone from across a parking lot at night. His injuries were apparently minor, as he was released quickly from the hospital, at which time he was arrested and charged with felonies.
In a sane judicial system, that gentleman would still be in jail, yes? Not here. He was released on his own recognizance after a grand total of 12 hours and 2 minutes, free to return to his apartment and his original victim.
Imagine chasing a dangerous felon for days, weeks or months, capturing him and then finding out he was released almost immediately for being incompetent or otherwise. Most people would become disillusioned with the job very quickly.
But the pay is great, right, so it makes up for the frustration? That would be wrong again. Las Cruces pales in comparison to what other communities in New Mexico offer to new police recruits. New Mexico State Police, for example, are paid nearly twice what our officers receive straight out of the academy. And their facilities are far better than what is available to LCPD. The current LCPD academy building is a modular office building that is probably 30 years old. Crumbling flashing and roof, missing skirt pieces and antiquated HVAC and plumbing issues abound. What message does that obvious failure provide as a first impression to new recruits who have just signed up to put their life on the line for this city? “We don’t care about you enough to give you a safe and sanitary facility in which to train.”
Is it any wonder that Las Cruces has failed to fill an academy in recent times? Scheduled academies have even been cancelled because of a lack of qualified applicants.
Next week, we will discuss what citizens can do to support our law-enforcement officers, including legislation that must be passed to ensure their dedication to our city is no longer squandered.
To all the law-enforcement officers and first responders: we love you and appreciate you and are so very thankful for your continued diligence in holding the line for our safety. May your Thanksgiving be filled with family and may you find comfort and encouragement in an eternally grateful community.
