El Paso Constable Defends Controversial Hire

by ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Celina Avila

EL PASO, Texas — Another El Paso constable finds herself defending a recent hiring decision.

She says everyone deserves a second chance.

But another elected official says, “not in this case.”

“I have a real problem with it,” said County Commissioner Dan Haggerty.

He says some constables need to be careful about the deputies they hire, “We just had one step down on the Eastside and got hired on the Westside. C’mon, the pool has to be richer than this.”

All constables came under scruitny after former Precinct6 deputy constable Mario Ramos was arrested for allegedly raping a woman and shooting man.

Ramos had a lengthy disciplanary record and, at the time, no criminal record.

“Professionalism” — that’s what newly-elected Precinct7 constable Angie Sommers says she wants in her department, and she stands by her deputies.

“We really have a lot of talent in the constables’ offices,” said Sommers.

But she’s about to hire 48-year-old Charles Agan.

He, too, has been accused of improper conduct, but — Sommers is quick to point out –Agan has no criminal record.

“I believe we shouldn’t hold an error in judgement against somebody for the rest of his life,” said Sommers.

According to state records, Agan has no listed education.

He bounced around several agencies for nearly five years, most recently, spending two years at the Anthony Police Department.

But he resigned in 2006, right as he was about to be fired.

The ABC-7 I-Team uncovered why.

According to this complaint affidavit, Agan was on duty when he picked up a woman, gave her a ride in his patrol car, and then had sex with her – all as emergency dispatchers were trying to get ahold of him.

“He admitted to it, he stood up to the plate. It is the same error in judgement that many police officers have made on many occasions, ” said Sommers.

So where does one draw the line concerning an error in judgement?

“As a law enforcement agent there is no line to draw, it has already been drawn. You don’t do that,” said Haggerty.

Sommers says despite 20 applicants, she’s comfortable giving the job and the $38,000 a year salary to Charles Agan.

“I’m very concerned because we’re ultimately the ones that have to face what happens when something goes wrong. Something probably will go wrong. Another incident will occur, ” said Haggerty.

Sommers adds that if any of her deputies don’t follow the rules they will be terminated immediately.