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ALAMOGORDO – 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 long-standing 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 by the Alamogordo Daily News. The newspaper reported Tuesday that the Alamogordo city commissioners received the report last month, but kept it secret until Monday.
The city initially refused to release the report, contending it was a matter of opinion, exempted by public records laws. The Foundation for Open Government and the newspaper challenged that contention.
Alamogordo City Attorney Stephen Thies declined to explain why the city decided to release the report after previously refusing to do so. “(The) city decided to release the study. No further reason or explanation will be given,” Thies wrote in an email.
The study, which cost the city almost $50,000, was commissioned by former City Manager Mark Roath, who resigned from his position in May.
“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.
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.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal
