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ALAMOGORDO (AP) — A city-commissioned study claims the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety is plagued by infighting and factionalism and the leadership inspires little confidence among subordinates.
The 112-page report also cites a strained relationship between ADPS and the Otero County Sheriff’s Department, saying those problems are longstanding and preceded the tenures of current Sheriff Benny House and recently retired ADPS director Kelly O. Wallis.
The study by the law-enforcement consulting firm Berkshire Advisors was obtained the Alamogordo Daily News. The newspaper reported Tuesday that the Alamogordo City Commissioners received the report last month, but kept it secret until Monday.
It was released after the Daily News submitted several requests to view the report, which cost the city almost $50,000.
“Unable to address the intractable problems it faces, the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety is adrift. The challenges it faces are both significant and difficult to address,” the report said.
The study was commissioned by former city manager Mark Roath, who resigned from his position in May.
Acting City Manager Bob Carter said the study is a learning tool for the future of the department.
“First we have to get an ADPS director that can help take the department to that next level,” Carter said. “My number one goal is to try to get us a director as soon as possible that can work with the commission to see what they want to implement into practice” within ADPS.
The Berkshire report recommends that the new director come from outside the department.
According to the study, while discord within organizations is not uncommon, infighting within ADPS is especially destructive because the allegations center on the integrity and competence of department leaders.
The report recommends a number of changes in the department, including reorganization of the command structure.
Alamogordo Mayor Susie Galea said the City Commission is not ready to adopt all the recommendations of the Berkshire study until a director is in place at ADPS.
Galea said she believes all of the changes at ADPS could be done and implemented within two years if an ADPS director is there full time.
