City manager defends decision to fire officer

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — City Manager Eric Honeyfieldsaid Wednesday he opted to support the recent termination of a probationary Gallup police officer from the department once the officer used allegedly questionable tactics to dispute the decision.

Officer Archie Romero, 37, was fired by police chief Sylvester Stanley on April 7 after he failed a lie detector test that was administered by the Bernalilo Sheriff's Department in Albuquerque. Romero volunteered to take the test to support his allegations that a Gallup police sergeant used excessive force on Oct.4 against a suspect, Derek Calderon, who was reportedly handcuffed and resting on the ground.

Honeyfield said he could not discuss in detail the incidents that led to Romero's termination, but he did finalize the decision early this week. Romero or any city employee who is fired has the option of filing an appeal to the city manger who may overturn the termination, if he views the action as not warranted.

"I was in the process of looking over the appeal when he went to the media," Honeyfield said. "He never once came into my office to talk about it."

Romero was classified as an at-will employee and was still within the probationary period placed on all officers who have served for less than a year with the department. An individual must score a -6 to fail a lie-detector test. Romero reportedly scored a -15, according to documents. "I'm kind of like a judge," Honeyfield said. "I'm always weighing the arguments of both sides, but when I start seeing tactics like that used, it makes it much easier to make a decision."

Honeyfield said the alleged victim of the excessive force would not submit to a lie-detector test and because of the refusal, officials could not require the officers who were at the scene of the alleged accident to take the test. This is a condition of the officers' contracts with department and Gallup Police Union.

"That's what excludes perfect balance in the incident," Honeyfield said. "... There is some considerable weight in that he failed the test though."

This is just one of several investigations conducted this year by the Internal Affairs section of the Gallup Police Department.

"I would freely admit there's been more discipline than in the past due to the lack of accountability that once existed," Honeyfield said. "We're in the process of some growing pains, but we are not looking the other way."

He said the renewed emphasis on accountability is evident when comparing the number of missed court appearances by officers and the number of accidents involving officers to those of past years.

"With about 60 certified officers, you're going to have some mis-steppings," Honeyfield said. The city manager said he handles about two incidents per week involving personnel issues. Police Capt. John Allen, spokesman for the department, declined comment regarding Romero's termination at the instruction of Honeyfield. Stanley was not available for comment.

"We want to be careful to not stigmatize those involved by talking to the media in detail about personnel issues," Honeyfield said.

He also said he's not aware of any lawsuits that have been filed in connection with the termination.