Sheriff Todd Garrison Addresses Accusations Within Department

Lack of control, low morale, and insufficient manpower.

Accusations against Dona Ana County Sheriff Todd Garrison are spotlighting his political campaign. Garrison said politics are overshadowing his principal focus ? public safety.

“I think the election has a lot to do with it,? Garrison said. ?I think that there are issues of concern we address daily here. I can’t speculate why people do what people do, but I think the administration here and supervisors here work hard, and the officers in this department work hard to make sure we provide public safety for the people in this county and I think we’re doing a very good job at doing that.?

But not all of Garrison?s employees seem to agree.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff?s Department is comprised of 97 union members. Out of those, less than half, or 45, voted this past Friday to endorse a candidate for the upcoming November Election. Out of the 45 who voted, a majority 34 voted to endorse Garrison?s opponent, J.R. Stewart from the Las Cruces Police Department.

Only a handful of employees are disgruntled and speaking out, Garrison said.

A union member who asked not to be identified said, he is one of many who are frustrated with how the Sheriff?s Office is currently run, and fears being led further in a negative direction if Garrison is re-elected another term.

“I know it’s being downplayed right now that it’s not a morale issue but if you speak to a lot of deputies it is low at this point – it is pretty much bad right now,? a DASO union member, said.

But others within the department stand behind Garrison.

“For the most part, morale, I like to think of it as a big family,? Sergeant John Ordonez, DASO Investigator, said. ?Sometimes we’re going to get along with each other, sometimes we’re not, and when we don’t, we need to sit down and discuss these issues and figure out what’s best for the department.”

If re-elected, Garrison announced Edward Lerma would replace current Undersheriff Chuck Franco.

Lerma has 34 years of law enforcement experience.