Hatch Valley schools weigh armed security as police staffing shortages complicate officer coverage

Hatch Valley Public Schools board members discussed on Oct. 14 how to put armed security on campuses, since staffing problems at the Village of Hatch Police Department have made it hard to secure a school resource officer. Board President Chris Montez asked whether the district should hold off on pursuing a new arrangement with the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office until after the November election. Superintendent Fred Montalvo said the district has long split the cost of an officer with the village, but the village has had trouble hiring and keeping police.

Montalvo said he learned that afternoon of a possible candidate with school-based law enforcement experience who would also like to coach. Officials plan to see whether that person could work through the village police department, with coaching secondary. He said the village police chief still wants to supply an officer. Montalvo also raised having the district employ its own armed guard, which would require a review of policies, qualifications and funding, and he noted such a person might lack the credentials of a certified officer. Montez asked administrators to research training requirements and compare them.

Trustees also talked about approaching the sheriff's office. Montalvo said getting such a commitment had been hard before but agreed to ask. No agreement was announced. The board approved no position, contract or funding and asked for more information on staffing, training and costs. The topic came up under future business, and no specific proposal was on the agenda.