The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Canine chief of police in New Mexico

-

ALBUQUERQU­E, N.M. — The police chief of the small eastern New Mexico town of Vaughn resigned Wednesday, leaving the town with just one certified member on its police force — a drugsniffi­ng dog named Nikka.

Dave Romero, attorney for the town, said Wednesday that police Chief Ernest “Chris” Armijo decided to step down after news stories reported that he wasn’t allowed to carry a gun because of his criminal background.

“He decided the attention was distractin­g from everything as he had to do in his position,” Romero said.

State officials said Armijo couldn’t carry a gun since acknowledg­ing owing tens of thousands of dollars in delinquent child support payments in Texas. Armijo also faces new felony charges after being accused of selling a town-owned rifle and pocketing the cash.

Romero said Armijo is working to clear up the latest case.

He said Armijo has not ruled out seeking the police chief’s position again if his case is resolved and the position is open.

According to records, the only qualified member of the Vaughn Police Department is Nikka, a drug-sniffing dog.

Vaughn’s other officer isn’t certified and pleaded guilty to charges of assault and battery last year.

But Romero said not having an officer qualified to carry a gun didn’t put Vaughn at risk. “England doesn’t allow police officers to carry guns,” he said. “Sometime the strongest weapon in law enforcemen­t is communicat­ion.”

Vaughn, a town of about 450 located 104 miles east of Albuquerqu­e, is set deep in what U.S. Homeland Security Investigat­ions officials say is an isolated region of the state popular with drug trafficker­s.

Officials say the desolate roads in Guadalupe County make it hard for authoritie­s to catch smugglers moving drugs from Mexico.

Guadalupe County Sheriff Michael Lucero said since news about the police chief’s record became public his department has helped patrol Vaughn.

But he said those efforts have put a slight strain on his already short-staffed department.

“I visit the town at least once a month,” said Lucero. “The important thing is to keep a presence so residents know we’re there to help if we’re needed.”

Romero said town officials are considerin­g whether to hire another police chief or keep the department staffed with just one officer. He said it’s unclear whether the town will keep the police dog. 1.Sheet and ball are types of what? 2.Which French composer wrote the famous “Clair de lune”?

3. Gamay and Petite Sirah are varieties of what? 4. What is a shibboleth? 5. Finish, casing, brad and horseshoe are types of what?

6. What is the common name of the incendiary weapon formulated with naphthenic and palmitic acids?

7. The word Lei, a garland of flowers, is associated with what American state?

8. Yellow Fever is transmitte­d by what?

9. Who does the acronym POTUS refer to?

10. What is the capital of Alaska?

Juneau 10. States United the of President 9. Mosquitoes 8.

Hawaii 7. Napalm 6. Nails 5.

custom or belief A 4. Grapes 3. Debussy Claude 2.

Lightning 1.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States