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Torrance County seeks MOUs as dispatch center struggles with staffing shortfall
Summary
County officials reported a dispatch staffing shortage (7 dispatchers vs. an 8-dispatcher minimum) and said three dispatchers resigned in recent months; the manager will draft MOUs with Moriarty and Estancia for overflow coverage and may request a special meeting for rapid approval.
County officials told the commission Nov. 12 that Torrance County’s Dispatch Center is operating below minimum staffing levels. County Manager Jordan Barela said the center currently has seven dispatchers while minimum scheduling requires eight; roughly three dispatchers resigned in the previous three months.
Barela described hiring challenges including background and drug-screening failures among applicants and said Human Resources is expanding recruitment outreach. Dispatch Director Selena has contacted Santa Fe and Valencia counties for overflow support; existing MOUs that would permit outside officers to assist have expired. Barela said he will draft new MOUs with Moriarty and Estancia to allow rapid temporary coverage and that a special meeting may be necessary to approve those agreements quickly.
Commissioners flagged the issue as urgent given public-safety implications and asked staff to prioritize rapid drafting of agreements and recruitments.
