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Interim police chief reports hires, lower overtime and preliminary findings in dog-bite case
Summary
Interim Chief Lorenzo Miller told the commission overtime declined and applications for open officer positions rose sharply; a recent dog-bite investigation appears to involve a dog on private property and may not lead to criminal charges, pending ordinance or licensing violations.
Tucumcari — Interim Police Chief Lorenzo Miller briefed the commission on staffing and a recent dog-bite incident, saying overtime decreased in the last pay period and that applicant interest for vacancies increased approximately 150%.
Miller said that if current hiring goes as expected the department could be fully staffed within two weeks. He told the commission a recent dog attack is under preliminary investigation and appeared to have occurred on private property inside a fenced area that was posted "no trespass" and "beware of dog." Miller said investigators were examining possible ordinance violations such as licensure and rabies-tag compliance but that, based on current facts, he did not expect criminal charges related to the bite. "This occurred on private property with the dog being on its own property in a fenced area that was posted no trespass and posted beware of dog," Miller said.
Miller also reported that the city’s animal control officer is NACA-certified and has begun issuing citations. Commissioners pushed for stronger enforcement of the city’s animal-control ordinance and asked staff to consider stiffer fines and the availability of legal representation if municipal jail time is to be used as a sanction.
Miller said staffing changes could allow the department to provide three officers during evening "power hours," improving patrol coverage. He also said the department is reviewing alternative shift structures used in other jurisdictions to address officer wellness.
Ending — Commissioners expressed support for firm enforcement of animal-control rules and for staffing strategies that reduce overtime while maintaining coverage.
