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Ruidoso Downs council approves three police hires amid questions about training and onboarding
Summary
The council approved personnel recommendations to hire Ernesto Navarres (community service officer), David Pendergrass (uncertified officer) and Philip Wall (certified officer); deputies and councilors discussed training, field‑training plans and academy scheduling.
The Ruidoso Downs City Council on Feb. 24 approved three personnel hires for the police department and discussed training and onboarding plans.
Deputy Chief Sam Hanna introduced the applicants. Ernesto Navarres was recommended for hire as a community service officer (CSO); the deputy chief said the department intends to supervise the new CSO closely while building a field‑training program. "Right now, everything that's required of a cadet, myself and officer Wall can teach and get everything knocked out in house," Hanna said, describing in‑house training for ordinance familiarity, firearms basics and first aid.
The council approved Navarres's hire by voice vote. Councilors asked who would provide CSO‑specific training; Hanna said he would monitor training and that the department could explore sending staff to external courses or working with trainers if needed.
The council next approved the hire of David Pendergrass as an uncertified police officer. Deputy Chief Hanna described pre‑academy requirements (firearm training, CPR/first aid and working knowledge of ordinances) and said the city expects to send recruits to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy tentatively scheduled to begin in July.
Finally, the council approved the hire of Philip Wall as a certified police officer; Hanna and others described Wall's prior experience with neighboring agencies and his work on community policing programs such as the "Wise Eyes" watch program. Councilors welcomed the hires and discussed uniforming, equipment sizing and background onboarding steps.
All three personnel recommendations were approved by vote and the council offered congratulations to the new employees. City staff said they would follow up on training schedules, academy enrollment and uniform/equipment provisioning.
