So, how many times has a police chief been put on probation over racial profiling?

[rabs]

There is trouble brewing in Lincoln County over allegations of racial profiling by the Ruidoso Downs and Ruidoso cops. It has been happening for about a month now with both legal and illegal residents being pulled over on flimsy pretexts.

The head of the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque was in town this month to investigate. Last week a human rights group from Santa Fe was also in Ruidoso to advise Hispanos how to respond when stopped by local cops and Border Patrol units which have been spotted more often in the two villages.

The chief of police in Ruidoso Downs is a Hispano, so he may have himself been a victim of racial profiling by the village council.

There is now a climate of fear among the legals and illegals in these two, tourist-oriented villages. It could get worse as the race track season begins on May 30 because a lot of the people who take care of the horses, clean the stables etc. are from Mexico.

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Ortiz gets probation

Jim Kalvelage [e-mail]
Posted: 05/11/2010 07:39:19 PM MDT

Ruidoso Downs police chief was asked to resign Monday following a councilor's allegation of racial profiling

Ruidoso Downs Police Chief Alfred Ortiz has been placed on probation for six months after an initial request for his resignation.

The probationary decision, which was unanimously approved by the city council Monday night, followed words of support for the chief from 10 residents.

A reason for placing Ortiz on probation was not provided by city officials. City Attorney H. John Underwood said the matter was a personnel matter.

http://www.ruidosonews.com/ruidoso-breaking_news/ci_15065079