By GREG WHITE
Los Alamos

I really enjoy debating with people but that requires facts and all Mr. Nebel offers is hyperbole about corrupt police as well as deputies (link).

And he’s apparently oblivious to the fact that New Mexico has been far and away the state leading the nation in violent crime as well as all other crime since long before 1980. Yes, I suppose now you’ll dig up some FBI stats to disprove this – just make sure you adjust for per capita population.

I’m surprised he says he backs our police as he seems to be afraid and distrustful of law enforcement in general. Is there a reason for that Mr. Nebel? Maybe LAPD should contact law enfrcement in Illinois to see if they would like you to return to the state. But seriously this is NOT about your wishes or mine or anyone else’s. This is about  the law! If you don’t like the law you need to petition the state legislature to change it or move to some state where you like the laws better.

Despite what many think, every sheriff has to be certified by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy NMSA 29-7-6.1. Any previous local shariffs who were not, were in violation of the law. This certification must be in law enforcement administration and also can be as a law enforcement officer. Deputies are county employees and as such are not limited to four or eight years unless they choose so. NMSA 4-18-19.

Anyone else who is anti-American and wants to get rid of an elected office, one of our Constitutionally guaranteed rights, please do a minimum amount of research and present the citizens of Los Alamos with an argument based in the lw and not personal opinion. Reserve that for who you vote for, oh wait without elected officials there won’t be any voting. Ever since 1959, the Council has been trying to get rid of all elected officials including themselves and vest all power in the county manager. What’s up with that? I believe that’s called dictatorship.

Don’t worry Mr. Nebel about the $200,000 police party that doesn’t need any approval, let’s worry about the $200,000 for a functional sheriff’s office that’s where the real waste of taxpayer money is. Seriously? And it will cost the county taxpayers far more than $200,000 for the Council to fight to the state Supreme Court – a case their attorney has already told them is lost.

There is one legal solution that will satisfy both sides assuming one side is not engaged in illegal criminal activities and afraid of an elected sheriff and needs the puppet police chief they can have the county manager order to stop any investigation. That is to abolish the police department and transfer all officers, duties and responsibilities to the sheriff’s department. The current police structure will be maintained and the sheriff by law is paid $69,000/yr as opposed to the police chief currently paid $159,000/yr and deputy police chief at $106,000. Costs savings $196,000 per year. There’s your $200,000 Mr. Nebel.