Police officer resignations draw council’s ire

One couldn’t help but feel the frustration emulating from Socorro City Council’s faces when two of its police officers resigned after serving just over a year on the Socorro Police force.

Police officers Joseph Silva and Dominic Montano, both resigned from the police force and plan to work for the Socorro County Sheriff, according to Chief Angel Garcia.

What frustrated Mayor Ravi Bhasker and other council members was the fact, the City of Socorro paid for their police training at the New Mexico Police Academy as well as paid each their full-time wages while they attended the 20-week program.

“So if they go some where else … we have no legal right that we can hold them accountable?” Mayor Bhasker said noting the city paid for the training and wages. “Did you (Gracia) ever talk to our lawyer about this?”

Gracia said he did speak to a lawyer, but the city has no legal binding to keep them from pursuing other job opportunities.

“It’s my understanding,” Garcia said, “the (Sheriff’s Department) is offering a huge amount of money for them to go work for them.”

While several council members expressed it was a setback to the department, Mayor Bhasker called the resignations, “disappointing.”

The other resignation was submitted by Jakob Gonzales who worked in Dispatch.

Promotions and rate of increase also were approved for fire/recruit personnel, Mykel Aragon, Dustin Moreland and Justin Pacheco.

In other business, the city:

• Placed on hold a decision on whether to grant a home occupation permit for Tom Delehanty, to operate a cannabis dispensary at his residence at 108 Hope Farms Road. Mayor Bhasker said wanted to review what other cities are doing before deciding to grant a permit.

• Business registrations were approved for 11:11 Farms LLC, Brian Dean, to produce cannabis and manufactured cannabis products; Save the Day Electrical Services, Jason Gabriel Savedra; and J.A. Outfitters, John Armijo, hunting.

• The next city council meeting will be at 6 p.m., October 15.