Deputy officers should be the frontline of security, keeping the community safe and peaceful, as they take their oath. However, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office fired a deputy after police arrested him in Texas and accused him of soliciting prostitution.
Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood revealed the arrest on Thursday morning by posting a candid video on Facebook. He said the deputy identified as Michael Gallardo has spent almost two decades in law enforcement, and he just hired Gallardo a couple of months ago.
According to court records, authorities jailed him in El Paso on counts of solicitation and prostitution. Wood said the arrest occurred during a sting operation, but he did not provide any further details.
“Yesterday, he went to El Paso on his day off and got caught up in a prostitution sting. Police arrested him,” said Wood. “Now, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but police arrested him. That’s all I know.”
Deputy officers should not only perform their sworn duties while in uniform. Whether in uniform or not, they should uphold their duty and integrity wholeheartedly.
Woods confirmed that Gallardo no longer works for him. “Now, in New Mexico, deputy sheriffs are employed by the county, but they work for the sheriff. Michael doesn’t work for me anymore.”
What Happens Now?
Woods said Gallardo spent 18 years with another law enforcement agency before he joined the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in recent months.
He added that he will now have to inform the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board about Gallardo’s arrest, so they can review his certification to operate as a peace officer in the state.
If he served in the force for nearly two decades, how could he not know the law and the weight of his duty? Although they had just accused him, the consequences of his allegations are severe considering his employer already kicked him out of his work.
Woods then followed his statement, talking about a favorable forecast over the next few days; with a neutral expression, he said, “That’s a good thing, right?”
The video has garnered more than 150,000 views on Thursday with hundreds of comments, many praising Wood for his transparency.
According to Texas court records, Gallardo posted bail of $150,000 for his release. The deputy has not yet pleaded guilty to the charge.
However, this case serves as a reminder to officers to do their job righteously, be an example to the people, and remember what they swore when they first entered this line of work.