Clinton Weatherspoon moves up to Gallup police lieutenant
Battery charge erased from record

Clinton Weatherspoon raises his right hand as he is sworn in Monday by municipal judge Linda Padilla during a promotion ceremony at the Mitchell recreation Center in Gallup. Witherspoon was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and Richard Perez received a promotion to the rank of captain. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Gallup police officer Clinton Weatherspoon was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on Monday, despite a 2002 battery against a household member conviction that was eventually deferred into dismissal.

"I know you've read some things, but they are just allegations," Weatherspoon said at the onset of his brief speech following the promotion.

City Manager Eric Honeyfield said Weatherspoon pleaded guilty to a lesser petty misdemeanor charge of battery against a household member and was subsequently sentenced to a six-month period of probation.

Following the incident-free probationary period, the case was dismissed and was erased from his record. Weatherspoon then regained his voting privileges and ability to carry a firearm.

"The charge was found to be so light, that it was removed from his record," Honeyfield said.

According to court documents, Weatherspoon was initially charged with bribery of a witness, attempted criminal sexual penetration, false imprisonment, aggravated battery and battery against a household member for an incident involving his ex-wife.

However, he was acquitted of all the charges except for the battery against a household member charge.

Honeyfield said Weatherspoon's law enforcement license was never revoked during the court proceedings and that he remained in good standing with the sheriff's department where he was employed at the time.

"Had it been truly serious, it's typical that his license would have been revoked ... that was an unique measure for a charge as bad as this," Honeyfield said.

Those convicted of a misdemeanor charge of battery against a household member are prohibited from carrying fire arms. But Sam Thompson, public information officer for the state attorney's general office, said a deferral removes the firearm ban.

"He's served well for a year without any discipline," Honeyfield said. "He was a successful candidate for the lieutenant position."

Honeyfield said former Police Chief Daniel Kneale recommended Weatherspoon for hiring at the Gallup Police Department. He also said current Chief Sylvester Stanley was probably aware of Weatherspoon's background, but he will not pursue any disciplinary action against those who were aware of the charges.