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Excop files suit against city
By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer
GALLUP — A former Gallup police officer has filed a lawsuit against
the city, police chief and city manager that claims he was fired from
the department as a form of retaliation for his statements against a longtime
officer who was accused of using excessive force.
The alleged target of the excessive force, Derek Calderon, has also filed
a separate suit that alleges his civil rights were violated and he was
unnecessarily beaten by Gallup Sgt. Matt Wright.
Both Calderon and former officer Archie Romero are seeking monetary damages
for suffering they reportedly sustained as a result of the incidents.
However, City Manager Eric Honeyfield, who usually speaks with the media
about such issues on behalf of the city and the police department, said
he could not comment on the matter because of the pending litigation.
According to court records, then-Gallup officer Archie Romero was dispatched
to Red Bluff trailer park on Oct. 3, 2004 in reference to a foot pursuit
involving Calderon, Wright and another police officer.
Calderon was reportedly wanted on an outstanding bench warrant. When Romero
arrived at the trailer park, Wright reportedly instructed him to look
for Calderon. Romero located Calderon and instructed him to show his hands.
Calderon reportedly complied with the instructions and was placed in handcuffs,
while on the ground.
"After Calderon was handcuffed and was still on the ground, Sgt.
Matthew Wright approached Calderon and began to kick him multiple times
in the upper torso area," according to court records.
Romero reported Wright's alleged use of excessive force to his supervisors
at the Gallup Police Department and provided them with a written statement
concerning the matter.
Romero was subsequently asked to undergo a polygraph examination on March
23, 2005 to determine whether his complaint was valid, as a part of an
Internal Affairs investigation into the incident. No other officers, including
Wright, were required to take the polygraph test.
"Following the polygraph examination and because plaintiff Archie
Romero refused to change his statement as to the events of Oct. 3, 2004,
Archie Romero was terminated from the Gallup Police Department on or about
March 24, 2005 by defendant Sylvester Stanley," according to the
document.
Honeyfield subsequently upheld Romero's termination from the department.
Romero said he was fired in an effort to cover up Wright's actions. He
also claims Wright has a history of such incidents while on duty. No disciplinary
action was ever taken against Wright.
According to Romero's claim, the City of Gallup also maintains an "unofficial
policy" of allowing its officers to employ excessive force and that
officers who speak out against the policy are subsequently fired. No charges
were ever filed against Calderon in connection with the pursuit on Oct.
3, 2004.
Christopher DeLara, an attorney for Calderon, said attorneys are scheduled
to begin interviewing current Gallup police officers about the night in
question; however, additional court dates have not been scheduled.
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February 6, 2006
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