1-03-2024 1:11am

Tularosa New Mayor Sworn In Hits Ground Running With New Police Chief

Chris Edwards Editor

Mayor Cooksey of Tularosa replaces police chief and is sworn in (AlamogordoTownNews.com KALH Radio)

Mayor Deborah Lynn Cooksey was sworn in on Tuesday 1-2-24 as the new mayor of Tularosa and is already making an impact.

In a series of stories run by AlamogordoTownNews.com and KRAZY KALH Radio investigations led by Anthony Lucero in 2023 we shined the light on allegations of corruption within the Tularosa police department with the alleged involvement and support of the former mayor. Allegations were made of uncertified officers, staffing level concerns, a police chief appointed by “special arrangement of the mayor” ignoring IPRA requests and hostile behavior toward press inquiries. The former mayor claimed the chief was certified in Alaska, however the state of Alaska denied that via an IPRA request our media outlets…

"On behalf of APSC Executive Director Joseph Gamache, (in response to Public Information request 54787), I am providing the below information."

"APSC records show that Brandon Boyle was employed with the Bethel Police Department from May 23, 2022 to February 25, 2023 as a police officer. He attended and graduated from the APSC Recertiification Academy from January 31, 2023 to February 17, 2023."

The response continued: "In Alaska, one of the requirements go be eligible for APSC police officer certification is that an officer MUST WORK ONE YEAR AT AT ALASKA POLICE AGENCY. As Mr. Boyle did not one one year in Alaska he DOES NOT HAVE AN APSC Certification."

Stories included Tularosa Chief Uncertified… https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/212029/tular…

IPRA response Grade F
https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/156827/local…

Tularosa out of state compliance…
https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/156144/are-t…

The new mayor Cooksey ran on a platform of transparency and accountability, sworn in today she has already announced changes and has already been working to make change.

After the swearing in of mayor Debbie Cooksey on Tuesday she was interviewed by AlamogordoTownNews.com radio edition contributor Anthony Lucero where she reported that “as expected under her administration” the controversial police chief Brandon Boyle had resigned. Anticipating that might happen she had already been working behind the scenes to backfill the position and a new chief will be in place by early February.

Mayor Cooksey reported that her priority was to make amends with the state police and the sheriff’s office who have been filling in for the issues and shortfalls of the village in protecting its 2500 constituents. She explained that the new chief is familiar with the area having worked within the region previously. He is relocating to Tularosa from Georgia where he is certified and was named “deputy of the year.” He will be going to New Mexico certification immediately upon hiring and will be New Mexico certified by April with two certifications his role in Tularosa.

The new mayor further explained she will be aggressively working on the staffing levels to ensure public safety.

Mayor Cooksey admitted she won’t always make all constituents happy with her decision making but she is committed to the service to the village as the new mayor. She was sworn in this morning and is on the job.

To hear the audio of her swearing in and the interview with Anthony Lucero tune into streaming KRAZY KALH Radio or listen to the podcast on the KRAZY KALH Radio YouTube channel…

https://youtu.be/GpANyj3saTU?si=1RkJlzmsIeywr63D

Congratulations Mrs Cooksey and the best of luck in 2024 and beyond.