Socorro chief of police resigns

Socorro Police Chief Carlos Maldonado resigned, a spokesman for the City of Socorro confirmed Wednesday.

Maldonado was appointed to the position in 2014. The resignation comes six days after a Socorro resident made allegations of corruption involving the city manager and the police department.

During public comment at a City Council meeting last Thursday, Socorro resident, and former interim Socorro City Manager, Lorenza Fraire, brought up an incident in January involving the Socorro Police Department.

Fraire provided documentation while claiming City Manager Adriana Rodarte’s son was pulled over by police for speeding and was given a DWI field sobriety test.

Fraire said the city manager’s son was taken to the police station and Rodarte was called to pick him up, claiming Rodarte’s son never went through the proper legal process.

Fraire brought up the incident before council was set to discuss the renewal of Rodarte’s contract with the city. During the meeting, Rodarte said she received a phone call from a police officer with a request to pick up her son.

“A phone call was placed to me by our officer because officers have that discretion. Never did I ask them to release my son, to give me my son. I have a 21-year-old and a 23-year-old and they are boys …. once he leaves, once he closes the door, I can’t control what he does,” Rodarte told the council.

An officer at the council meeting, with knowledge of the incident, said the officer involved in the stop made the decision to release Rodarte’s son. “The officer, who is an expert in DWI, did not feel he would have flunked the DWI exam,” the officer said.

Council asked the officer about the discretionary measures taken during the incident.

“He has the option. ‘Can I just let him drive?’ Which he could of or on this hand he said ‘give me your mom’s phone number so I can call her’,” the officer said.

Socorro officials sent ABC-7 this statement:

During his time with the City of Socorro, Chief Maldonado brought about many positive changes to the police department. Chief Maldonado created partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that greatly enhanced public safety for the City of Socorro and surrounding areas. “Chief Maldonado was a great asset to the City of Socorro and we wish him great success in all future endeavors.”, said City Manager, Adriana Rodarte.

Council members voted to renew Rodarte’s contract that night. Rodarte told the council she wanted an investigation into the incident.

A spokesman for the city told ABC-7 a preliminary investigation is underway.