BCSO: Deputy to be fired in alleged excessive force incident

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has decided to fire a deputy who is being investigated for allegedly using excessive force against a juvenile late last year.

BCSO spokesperson Jayme Gonzales said deputy Bryan Lassley will be terminated following an investigation into a Dec. 3, 2025, incident that occurred outside the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention and Youth Service Center.

Gonzales declined to detail the incident but said New Mexico State Police investigated the allegations and the case had been forwarded to the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review and possible criminal charges.

“What is alleged in this case is unacceptable. Deputies are entrusted with tremendous authority, and that authority comes with a nonnegotiable expectation of self-control, professionalism, and respect for the people we serve,” Sheriff John Allen said in a statement Tuesday. “When someone wearing this badge loses control and violates that trust, it damages our community and it dishonors every deputy who does the job the right way. I have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior. If you cannot keep your composure and do the right thing when a situation is stressful, you do not belong in law enforcement.”

Gonzales said Lassley was placed on leave Dec. 10 after Allen learned of the allegations. She said BCSO had opened an Internal Affairs investigation into the incident but it “was paused once it became clear the incident required an outside criminal investigation.”

“Now that the external investigation has been completed and submitted to the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff Allen is moving forward with termination action,” Gonzales said.