DASO deputies seek better pay, conditions according to survey

Doa Ana County will soon have a new sheriff. On Tuesday, allegations deputies in the department are unsatisfied with pay and working conditions were reported to ABC-7.

Ken Roberts, the president of the Doa Ana County Sheriff’s Deputies Association, said he’s noticed many of his coworkers leaving for other law enforcement jobs. He said he knows why.

“Extended shifts, more shifts because we’re losing people every day and no concern for the public or for the officer. I’m ashamed of it,” Roberts said. He said the findings in a 2011 New Mexico State University study, prove there’s low morale in the department. Deputies were asked the same questions in 2005, 2007 and 2011.

Recent results showed nearly four percent of those surveyed strongly agreed the sheriff’s office cared about their well-being. Just over four percent said they were comfortable expressing their opinion without fear of retaliation.

Sheriff Todd Garrison said his department did not ignore the findings. Instead, he hired someone to look into issues and try to fix them. He said currently his department is down about 35 deputies. Sheriff Garrison said his department, like many others, has its share of issues. He doesn’t deny morale could be better.

“I think it depends on who it talk to. It’s not as good as it could be. I think a lot of it has to do with pay issues. The county froze it nearly five years ago. You can go to work nearly any other law enforcement agency around here and make more money,” Sheriff Garrison said.

“Officers didn’t get into this to be rich. They got into it to serve the community otherwise they’d be doing something else making more money,” Roberts said.Roberts said he thinks things have the chance to turn around by getting people to the polls. He, and other members of DACSD Communication Workers of America Local 7911, are supporting democratic candidate Enrique “KIKI” Vigil. Vigil is running against Republican Craig Buckingham.