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The Las Cruces City Council unanimously approved a 66 percent increase in yearly payments for the services of an independent police auditor.
OIR Group, a California-based firm, reviews the Las Cruces Police Department’s complaint process and recommends changes to department policy as part of the contract. OIR also presents information and findings to the Las Cruces council semi-annually.
The council and city management lauded the firm during a February presentation. The police department chief also said the OIR’s work had had a positive impact.
OIR spurred changes, including a revised mental health policy, officer suspensions, a discipline matrix to encourage objective and appropriate action for wrongdoings and efforts to professionalize the department's policies and procedures.
The city signed the original contract with OIR in March 2021. Since then, the city has been sending the company $75,000 annually. The new contract is worth $125,000 per year. No other changes were made.
“An increase to the amount of auditing services requested has resulted in the need to increase the original not-to-exceed contract amount,” a document summarizing the change said.
OIR said they would increase their presence in Las Cruces by hosting community events to present information and gather community input. This change came at the council’s request.
Police agencies in New Mexico have come under additional scrutiny in recent years following several issues across the state.
Locally, high-profile killings of Las Cruces residents and criminal charges against three Las Cruces police officers since 2020 have raised questions about officer conduct.
