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In New Mexico, and across the country—from new gun laws to mask mandates and public health orders—we’ve seen multiple sheriffs refuse to enforce laws. Let’s wander into a thread and discuss the problem with sheriffs, shall we? 1/6
Sheriffs are elected officials, not all that dissimilar to a city councilor, state senator, or even a governor. Once elected, a sheriff is a county’s top cop. Within a city, a police chief is the top cop, but instead of being elected, police chiefs are appointed. 2/6
Appointed police chiefs are accountable to the city’s mayor and the city council for their decisions and actions. Conversely, a sheriff is accountable to...well, voters, and that’s about it. County commissioners have a little control, but that power is pretty toothless. 3/6
In the majority of states, few methods of holding sheriffs accountable exist, even in extreme instances of them breaking laws. Generally, no oversight boards oversee sheriffs or their actions, and typically, they are very difficult to remove from office. 4/6
Back to electing sheriffs. Generally, there aren’t a lot of requirements to run for sheriff. Not a lot of vetting takes place as they run, and unless they’re on the ballot at the same time as a presidential race, or maybe a midterm election, voter turnout tends to be low. 5/6
A few things to keep in mind. Sheriffs don’t enact laws. They don’t get to decided the constitutionality of laws. And they are elected to enforce every law in a state’s statute, regardless if they agree or disagree with it. 6/6
Anyway, consider reading this excellent piece from @EliseKapNM: https://www.abqjournal.com/1529284/sheriff-gets-national-attention-pushback-for-stance-on-public-health-orders.html
And this, also from @EliseKapNM: https://www.abqjournal.com/1529019/bcso-touts-partnerships-with-federal-agencies-2.html
And this from @JeannieNguyenTV about how the BernCo’s sheriff still hasn’t implemented body cameras, months after their use became state law: https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/public-defenders-office-challenges-bcso-in-court-for-lack-of-body-cameras/
And then check this out from @courtneynallen about the Chavez County Sheriff’s refusal to follow or enforce the public health order: https://www.krqe.com/health/coronavirus-new-mexico/chaves-county-sheriffs-deputies-go-maskless-at-holiday-toy-drive/
And this where the Lea County Sheriff’s Office not only refused to enforce the public health order, but encouraged business owners to ignore it. https://www.krqe.com/health/coronavirus-new-mexico/lea-county-sheriffs-office-encourages-businesses-to-stay-open/
