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Nikka, a police dog in Vaughn, N.M., is now the town's only official member of the police force.
VAUGHN, N.M.-- A drug-sniffing dog now is the only certified member of the police force in the small eastern New Mexico town of Vaughn.
Police Chief Ernest "Chris" Armijo decided to step down Wednesday after news stories reported that he wasn't allowed to carry a gun because of his criminal background.
"He decided the attention was distracting," said Dave Romero, an attorney for the town.
State officials said Armijo couldn't carry a gun since acknowledging that he owed tens of thousands of dollars in delinquent child support payments in Texas. Armijo also faces new felony charges after being accused of selling a town-owned rifle and pocketing the cash.
Romero said Armijo is working to clear up the latest case. He said Armijo has not ruled out seeking the police chief's position again if his case is resolved and the position is open.
According to NBC affiliate KOB.com in New Mexico, Armijo's annual salary is less than $30,000. Because he can't own a gun or any ammunition, he sold an assault rifle he owned to Guadalupe Sheriff's Deputy Juan Sanchez in January for $250, KOB.com reported.
A second police officer in Vaughn, Brian Bernal, was hired in the spring, but he had his own legal problems: In January of 2011, Bernal pleaded guilty to assault and battery against a household member, which prohibits him from owning a firearm by federal law, KOB.com said.
Now, according to records, the only qualified member of the Vaughn Police Department is Nikka, a drug-sniffing dog. Non-certified officers can't make arrests and can't carry firearms.
Russell Contreras / AP
The K-9 police truck of the Vaughn, N.M. Police Department sits in the driveway of former Vaughn Police Chief Ernest "Chris" Armijo on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
But Romero said not having an officer qualified to carry a gun didn't put Vaughn at risk. "England doesn't allow police officers to carry guns," he said. "Sometime the strongest weapon in law enforcement is communication."
Vaughn, a town of about 450 located 104 miles east of Albuquerque, is a quiet place that is an overnight stop for railroad workers.
While residents maintain there is no crime problem, the town is set deep in what U.S. officials say is an area popular with drug traffickers. The desolate roads in Guadalupe County make it hard for authorities to catch smugglers moving drugs from Mexico.
Guadalupe County Sheriff Michael Lucero said since news about the police chief's record became public his department has helped patrol Vaughn. But he said those efforts have put a slight strain on his already short-staffed department.
"I visit the town at least once a month," said Lucero. "The important thing is to keep a presence so residents know we're there to help if we're needed."
Romero said town officials are considering whether to hire another police chief or keep the department staffed with just one officer. He said it's unclear whether the town will keep the police dog, which had been in Armijo's care.
When approached by a reporter from The Associated Press at his Vaughn home, Armijo said he had no comment, and he declined to grant access to the canine for photographs or video.
The dog's kennel could be seen in Armijo's backyard, and a police truck marked "K-9" was parked in his driveway.
At Penny's Diner, residents said they were embarrassed by the attention the episode has put on the small town.
"There's just a whole lot of nothing going on here," said cook Joyce Tabor. "We have very little crime. It's quiet. So this really doesn't matter."
Armijo told KOB.com in June that he didn't feel he needed a gun to do his job.
“We have tasers, batons, mace … stuff like that,” Armijo said. "This isn't a TV show. This is life. We don't run in every day with a gun drawn. Life isn't in a pistol grip. It's how you talk to people. I wasn't the type of person to go, 'I'm a cop, now give me my badge and my chip on my shoulder.' That's not me."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Finally! We finally have an American town with a decent, easy to read, loyal and incorruptable police chief...lol
Troy: You mean the dog?(Sarcasm) I'm with you there!!!!! Make the dog chief! This is what I've been saying for along time.
1. Time to clean up law enforcement.
2. Police dogs are certified officers.
Throw the criminal cops out. Keep the dog. Get a new chief and new second officer.
When seconds count, the police are just
minuetsHours away..... Good griefnot to mention the towns P.D. intelligence level just shot up.........................:)
@Shelley: Yeah, but w/ a dog chief you might clean up law enforcement, but be stuck cleaning up AFTER law enforcement.
I was being sarcastic yes. I'm sure there are honest hard working people in law enforcement.....I just haven't met all that many. In the south they are mostly corrupt and racist....black or white.
troy don't sweat it some people are just not wired for sarcasm or humor.......poor schmucks....:)
At least the dog can be trusted unlike most corrupt cops. : )
I have more sympathy for that guy than for all the fat cops in Washington DC.
@Max108...please, don't tell me you have sympathy for the cop that owes tens of thousands of dollars in child support payments then also sold city equipment for cash for himself?!?!?!?!?!?
The problem with the dog is during pat downs he keeps sniffing the perps rear ends............well I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
America has elected dogs to the mayors office and other high ranking offices so this isnt too unique. They better give him a good pension though. Free treats and belly rubs for life once he retires.
To bad the leash law will keep him from patrolling the streets!
is Vaughn a code name for Mayberry?
Bring the dog to Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. The Mayor is a dog, Really.
This is just TO FUNNY---BARNEY ---WHERES BARNY!!
I'm waiting for Glomer to come running down the street yelling... "Citizens Arrest! Citizens Arrest!"
Aunt Bee is headlinin' at the local nudie bar too
i guess pizzing on the fire hydrant law will be taken off the books?
this town has gone to the dogs LOL
Now thats a true American, Nikka the pooch deserves his own office, a .45 Woofer (Luger), a patrol V8 Woofmobile Interceptor and bags of Woof donuts...
To be honest, I'm glad this police chief stepped down if he has all these charges against him (there's probably more than a few who should follow in his footsteps). Though the article makes it sound like it was his choice to resign, I have to wonder if he was actually forced out, and then tried to put a positive spin on it.
Only in America !
Bizzer: GOOD post!!! I'm in LE and seems I'm always cleaning up after cops that screw up anyway. They make us all look bad. Bad cops are a danger to good cops and citizens. If a cop can't follow the laws they are supposed to be enforcing why are they in uniform???
Go Nikka!! (pun intended).
So MSNBC just announced to the Country that theres 450 unprotected residents out there. Nice. I have no problem with requiring Cops to have clean backgrounds. If he owes tens of thousands....hes statistically more prone to corruption.
Great now Dunkin Dounts is out and Pets Mart is the place to be!
well thatguydownsouth, msnbc is not the only news agency to run the story, it came off the wire service so the towns very own news people sent the word out. I am sure your beloved Fox has run the story too. Why do you come here and read the stories if you hate them so bad? Let me guess, you're a troll.
Oh and anyway, cops aren't there to protect people, they treat everyone as a criminal until proven innocent. I am sure these people will do just fine without some a--hole handing out traffic tickets and spying on them all day long.
Why didn't the reporter interview Nikka? Can't get a real perspective unless you talk to the real cop. Damn rude sum-bitch treated Nikka like a dog!
deprogrammer, Thank you for exposing that liberals hate police officers.
Deprogrammer,
Thanks for letting everyone know you're a cop hater. Not too terribly bright either. There are plenty of good cops out there who do protect people...even clowns like you. Get a clue.
and since criminals cant read it will stay that way right?..........:)
Absolutely! If the town's police force is a drug-sniffing dog, I expect he'll be on the job and wide awake 24/7.
Barney Fife is our Sheriff! Our Police is just as scary as most of the criminals here!
One local woman was attacked and called 911. When the police arrived she ran out to the would be rescuers only to be tasered and arrested while the rapist got away!
That's our police for ya!
And once they found out about the Sheriff that cleared up most of their unsolved crimes.
Well of course, don't be ridiculous! and you can bet all those illiterate criminals that can't read will leave their guns at home too.
Go Hounds Go !
Isn't there a dog in office in DC?
Yes, Jay, there are many dogs in office in DC. We call them Republicans. I don't like that though, it insults dogs.
lets see, mooschelle, Hillary,pelosi,Janet N., etc ....yep only republican dogs there.......:)
You can't even spell "Michelle?" Pathetic!
Republican dog! (but that's an insult to dogs)
Max
I guess you did not "pick up" on the sarcasm, regarding the misspelling?
Max,
You fail.
Max's bulb doesn't burn brightly Jax...probably a Democrat.
Um, no, I think it is another kind of animal. A primate that makes africa home?
You just gotta ruin the fun by dropping a racist bomb Tonyin?
Hey tony please don't advertise that you are from wyoming, it gives the rest of us a bad name.
.
makes more sense then your last post...................:)
This is the best news story I've read in a long time. Given the options - a deadbeat dad who sells a gun he didn't own, a sh!tbag with an assault & battery conviction and a dog....The town is now in better hands, er paws.
good one catchick ....you may have a cookie,
and your still puuurty.........................:)
good luck with that............:)
Tasers, batons and mace only work on people who don't have a gun!
Somebody get that dog a holster and some sidearm training...he's going to need the gun now that everybody knows the town police are unarmed.
yep the old adadage rings true;
those who live by the sword,
get shot by those who dont...............................................:)
Tasers, batons and mace. How does a police force without thumbs use them?
lmao IA.
Does the dog get to drive the squad car, I want pictures of that!!
Denver Bill It's all about tail and how you use it ;-}
IA: That was a good one. Live by the sword, die by the gun... great!
Too bad Andy and Barney aren't available. They could keep the peace and feed the dog.
Bet he's got a bullet too!
This is like the town of Cantor,NC...a republican majority on the town council fired the entire department with no reason given and then it was found out that the republicans had been bought by one ricch familty in town because they were pissed over a traffic ticket...republicans are not fine law abiding americans like they pretent to be...
yeah , republicans like Barry and Mooschelle who had their law license's revoked, but we don't speak of that right? get real rick no such thing as a honest politician. besides two completely different scenarios that are not even remotely , i repeat NOT EVEN REMOTELY similar in any way. go to first read you Will do better there.........
If in everyone's political argument, they just replaced Republican, Democrat, Teabagger, whatever with the word politician, this and every other politcal discussion would be much better controlled.
great idea ryan we can just number the politicians...you know moron1..moron2...etc...................
@Ryan O'L: You deserve a +100. In the old days, that was called decorum. It's been sadly missing for a few decades now.
(Though I expect someone from either side of the aisle to post under me and say "I agree with Ryan, except that the other side...")
All politicians are getting teabagged by special interest groups.
Wait, how does every single blog I read about any topic ultimately decend into a republican vs. democrat battle?....fun to read but just thought about that.
The dog isn't affiliated with either party.
What is a good dog party name?
By the way, don't get side tracked on that lack of law license. States require all attorneys to pay fees and to attend continuing legal education seminars to keep their licenses up to date. If you don't pay the fee (which isn't cheap by the way) or attend the required hours of seminars, your license is terminated. Their licenses were revoked because they chose to let it lapse by either not paying the fee or not attending the seminars - highly likely that the seminars were the issue. It wasn't the result of a disciplinary proceeding which could result in disbarrment. My guess is that most if not all sitting presidents with a law license let their license expire because they don't have the time to attend the CLE's. All they will have to do to get their licenses back, if they want to do so, is reapply, pay the fee, and take the required CLE. It's not a big deal.
What the hell are you talking about Tammy?
I think what Tammy is saying is just because they lost their law license back in 2006 & 2007 it was because they did not attend continuing education units which is required to keep law license current, along with the fee. However, he did not become POTUS and she FLOTUS until Jan 2009. Guess it must have been an awful lot of "community organizing" going on to keep them away from CEUs, because you know they had the $$ from inheirtances. Basically, she is rationalizing as to why they "lost" their law licenses.
Dogs can be noble, true to their duty, tireless in their devotion to their task. They don't ask much in return.
However, if you are demonstrating for/against something and you fail to obey police orders, they will still chew you a new one. And they don't care about your real or imagined civil rights.
Better to find some honest, non-convict police officers and let the dog stick to what he knows best.
Sounds like the perfect police officer...lol. At least they would treat all people the same...lol.
Suppose everybody would get chewed a new one instead of just those of us that cops don't like.
I lived in Roswell, NM for eight interminable months. The only worse @!$%# hole was Vaughn just up 285. Southeastern NM is simply awful! I feel bad for the dog. He deserves better.
You lived in Roswell,? cool..... did you ever meet fiesty, beverly,jody and that bunch from over on first read? if so what planet are they from? .....just curious...............................:)
Scooter
Haven't seen hide nor hair, let alone the "witty" comments of feisty, beverly, jody et alia, here lately. Perhaps they visited Roswell and got abducted? "Going where no man has gone before?" Maybe, they'll stay there, wherever "there" is?
Jack from Jax,
Your name.....Are you refering to Freakville, Florida or....
Not trying to be insulting, I'm a Freakville native so was just curious.
been on the First Coast since 1997, how about you Troy?
Freakville is certainly portion of my stomping grounds. I love this state! The ridiculous humidity, the palm trees, the swamps and springs, and the Atlantic beaches (except flaggler) are the best in the world. The sand is so clean your feet literally squeek on it as you walk.....yup, never leaving again....
Left a time or two after college but always ended up back. Something about coming down 95 and crossing the Florida/Georgia line and feeling like I'm home.
Right now I took a job over here in Gator country but I really love Freakville.....well, most of it....I could do without some of the North and West sides....you know the ones that you drive around instead of through.
Rick-546746
Vaughn,NM is just the opposite, good ole liberal NM. Nothing unusual here, can't you see the resemblance to Obama administration, his resignation is just a bump in the road. By the way, if you go looking for Vaughn, don't blink, you will miss it.
There's not one single word referencing politics in the entire article but as usual that doesn't stop some of you from turning it into your very own political forum. Give it a rest....wait if you're not ranting about politics, then you have nothing to post about.
Joe, did I piss you off by refering to the crook in the whitehouse? I noticed that you made no comment to Rick, when he was slamming Republicans.
I will take your commit for what it is worth. NOTHING! My reply was to Rick and his nothing to do with the article.
The federal government needs to get money to states such as New Mexico to shore up local law enforcement,also we need to change the National Guard into defending and supporting our national borders on all fronts,supporting our border control agents.Using military reserves and starting up the draft again for overseas duty.
Walt NE Ohio,
Why do we not just require 'All High School Grads', to do two years in the military before going onto college. Of course they could pick the branch of their choice. ; }
Well our White House is also going to the dogs......and I don't mean Bo....
We need him in the WH
Hire me for the job. I like dogs, have my own guns, and no legal problems. Even got a motorcycle to save the town money. And, I'm good lookin.
if i volunteer to join your new force can i get free ammo? and go "target practice"
wanna bet? course been a spell since i done the whole dirtbike thing ... but im still a pretty good shot and of course good looking, ....hey wait a minute ....any cold beer and good lookin women there?......could be a deal breaker ............:)
IAScooter: Could be they are having a hard time catching the smugglers because the current police force (minus Nikki) is in on the whole thing... clearly seems popular with drug traffickers... but "nothing much going on there?" Wow, those cops seem a bit corrupt, don't they. (Note the sarcasm.) If nothing is going on there why they need a drug dog?
Well, like I said, be done with the corrupt cops. Sounds like you and Wes could have a job.
Not sure about the good lookin' women, but I hear they have cold beer.
Shelley
You don't suppose Nikki the Dog is not involved in the drug running. Read the part in the article
Armijo is the Police Chief that just lost his job. Wonder if Nikki would "look the other way" if offered a bribe of , say, a juicy T-Bone steak?
Jack: Could very well be, but still have to blame Armijo for that. Bad trainer, Bad trainer.
By the way Nikka (AKA Nikky) was out watering the fire hydrant. Thanks for asking!!!! (I'm kidding he is probably sniffing something he shouldn't be.)
New Mexico sounds a lot like old Mexico - corrupt cops, and now a free pass for the drug runners who are always looking for safe avenues to bring their product in for sale.
The city attorney and others who say that cops don't need guns are fools. Sure, it's great when you don't have to use them, but if the Zetas are rolling through town and decide to get rowdy, a good talking to is not going to move them along. At least give that dog a gun.
I guess no one did background checks before they hired this guy.
Joe Madden
To quote a well known movie, Siera Madre, perhaps the phrase "Background checks? We don't need no stinking background checks", says it all? Maybe that is why they don't have "no stinking badges" either?
This man has real baggage. This is the best they could find for law enforcement? I'm not sure I would even trust his dog.
No officer is better than one with domestic abuse history, theft, and refuses to support his off spring. The citizens could take care of themselves better than what this guy has to offer. Save the less than 30,000/year and buy guns and ammo for the residents.
The United States Supreme Court ruled that no one can be denied the right to bear arms...unless they have a criminal record of course. If they push it I think that would also include cops. The council is way out of line they can not go against the Supreme Court. But we would have to have a Federal Administration that believes in enforcing the United Sates Constitution-and we do not have that at this time.
'Bear arms'? Phew!!! I thought it said, arm bears.
Lots of people are restricted from owning firearms. Convicted felons, those convicted of certain other crimes, the mentally ill, those facing certain charges (stalking, domestic violence, threat to the community). The US Supreme Court did NOT rule that NO ONE can be denied the right to bear arms... AAAAAAA!!! Wrong answer... Try again.
Why do they need a police dept. anyway,,,the citizens of the town say there's little crime,,,,
Why not just get the state police to patrol the town like alot of smaller townships do?
As far as all the right-wing childish remarks,,,well, that's it,,, you are children!!! Bad ones at that!!!!!
as for the left wing childish remarks....well thats just truthful....you are all good sheeple.......er...children.......:)
Now that's putting TEETH in law enforcement!.
However, the dog faces sexual harassment charges from a female police dog. He said the charges are unfounded for chasing her down the street.
Show some backbone...elect a real president, send in the Army and take it back from Mexico. Enough of this "giving away" this country!
BiPolar: I'm sure they will find some way to make it HER fault.
He was neutered. Therefore, it may be a landmark Don't ask Don't bark case.
Bipolar: Love that one! At least there won't be any little Nikki's for him to NOT pay puppy support on.
Now the dog must arrest the deadbeat cop for failure to pay. The dog was quoted as saying "Badges? We don't need no stinkin badges"
Bipolar: That works for me! Book 'em Nikka!
maybe romney can run for sheriff of this town and ryan as his sidekick.
Romney/Ryan are going to be a bit busy the next 8 years running the US. But they will make sure these police officers have guns-count on it. My comment #20. It is the law.
What a great idea. Thats about all Mittens is qualified for. Or perhaps he could ship the job overseas to save the town money. When you need a police officer he/she would be sent from The Phillipeans and get there in about 24 hours. At least they wouldn't be hanging out at the local Dunkin' Donut shop.
Next thing you know, the dog will be running for Mayor and will probably win!!
That is what dogs do best-run.
"There is no crime", the town is probably owned by a cartel and major narcotics hub.