New Mexico State Police officer resigns after DWI arrest in Gallup

New Mexico State Police announced Thursday that one of its officers recently arrested on a DWI charge in Gallup has resigned.

Rachel Hall, 32, has been charged with misdemeanor aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, open container, three counts of resisting arrest, failure to maintain traffic lane, and driving on the wrong side of the road in the Feb. 27 case.

NMSP Chief Troy Weisler announced Thursday in a news release that after being placed on administrative leave, Hall had resigned. Prior to her resignation, Hall had worked for NMSP for four years and eight months.

“Her conduct does not reflect the values and integrity that define a New Mexico State Police officer, and I am deeply troubled by her conduct and this breach of public trust,” Weisler said in a statement. “Those who dishonor this badge have no place in the State Police.”

Hall is awaiting trial and has pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to court documents.

Hall was arrested by McKinley County Sheriff’s Office deputies aided by Gallup Police officers on Feb. 27, after a deputy noticed a Silver Toyota 4-Runner driving erratically, according to a criminal complaint filed in McKinley County Magistrate Court. At 11:11 p.m., the deputy watched the 4-Runner nearly rear-end another vehicle, swerving onto the sidewalk.

The vehicle continued driving, nearly striking a light pole and swerving onto the wrong side of the road, the complaint said. While turning, the vehicle drove onto the sidewalk, popping the tires on the passenger side.

When pulled over by police, Hall refused to leave her vehicle, the complaint detailed. Smelling of alcohol, Hall rolled down her window two-inches to tell the officer she was not drunk and would not leave the vehicle, the complaint said. Hall then locked her vehicle and told police she was calling her sergeant, according to the complaint. After being told repeatedly to exit her vehicle, police broke the window and attempted to pull Hall out.

Hall clung to the steering wheel and began screaming at the officers, according to the complaint. It took two officers to pull her out of the vehicle, the complaint said, after which she was tackled to the ground. Hall then refused to get into the police vehicle, according to the complaint, saying “No, not until my sergeant gets here.”

Officers found a mostly empty 750 ml bottle of wild berry flavored vodka under the passenger seat of Hall’s car, according to the complaint. Hall refused a breathalyzer test and was transported to the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, according to court documents.