Elida mayor’s complaint investigated [The Portales News-Tribune, N.M.]

May 16--A formal complaint filed by the mayor of Elida against the actions of a Roosevelt County Sheriff's chief deputy will be turned over to the County Risk Management Division for investigation, according to county manager Charlene Webb.

Webb said the formal complaint serves as a tort notice, which is the precursor to taking legal action.

Webb said it is standard procedure to turn legal matters over to the division for investigation.

During Tuesday's county commission meeting, Elida Mayor Durward Dixon accused Chief Deputy Malin Parker of verbal assault and trespassing.

The County Risk Management Division serves as a form of insurance should the county have any legal action taken against it, according to Webb.

After investigating the situation, the division will decide whether or not to approach Dixon with a settlement offer, Webb said.

Dixon said Wednesday if the division does not offer him a money settlement, he will be filing charges in court. He also said he will only accept a settlement if it includes disciplinary action upon the sheriff's office.

"I'm wanting disciplinary action for the sheriff's department, but I don't think anything's going to happen," Dixon said Wednesday.

Parker and Roosevelt County Sheriff Darren Hooker declined comment Tuesday.

Dixon presented the formal written complaint to commissioners at Tuesday's meeting.

According to the complaint, Parker verbally assaulted Dixon in a parking lot on May 1 after asking about the removal of property from a condemned building in Elida, then stood in front of Dixon's vehicle saying, "why don't you get out and let's settle this right here?"

Dixon said he has had trespassing and verbal altercation problems with Parker since Parker began at the sheriff's office eight to 10 years ago.

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