Hatch Police Officer Under Investigation For Alleged Use-of-Force Violation

Detectives with the Doa Ana County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a Hatch police officer for an alleged use-of-force violation.

Thursday, investigators filed a warrant along with a criminal complaint for Mariano Fraere, 42.

He’s accused of battery and false imprisonment in a June 10th incident involving a 30-year-old man in custody at the Hatch Police Department.

According to court documents, Fraere was assisting another Hatch officer near N.M. Road 26 after the officer had encountered a group of men reportedly drinking.

During the encounter, two of the men in the group allegedly abused the Hatch officers verbally.

The 30-year-old victim reportedly demanded the officers give him their names and badge numbers.

“Those will be documented in the report,” replied Fraere, who told the man he was free to leave.

Investigators say the man refused to leave and continued to verbally harass Fraere.

Fraere arrested the victim for interference with an investigation and disorderly conduct, according to investigators.

In his report, Fraere stated the victim began to strike his head against the wall of the booking area.

Fraere told investigators he tried to pull the handcuffed man away from the wall, but the man continued to curse and harass him.

Investigators say Fraere allegedly took the victim by the arm, forcing him to the ground. The victim had to be taken to a Las Cruces hospital because he suffered injuries in his mouth and cheekbone.

The incident was documented on a surveillance camera inside the booking area, according to investigators.

An officer who reviewed the video referred the investigation to the Doa Ana County Sheriff’s Office because of jurisdictional concerns and inconsistent statements made by Fraere.

Hatch Police officers are not commissioned to enforce state statutes outside of their city limits, according to investigators.

Fraere was placed on administrative leave with pay on June 12.

He is charged with two counts of false imprisonment and one count of battery. He is being held on a secured bond of $10,000.