$570,000 Federal Grant Boosts Community Policing in Otero County

Otero County, NM — The Otero County Sheriff’s Office has received a $570,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, a transformative investment aimed at expanding patrol coverage, enhancing response times, and deepening community engagement across the region.

Awarded through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), the grant will allow the Sheriff’s Office to hire additional deputies and strengthen its commitment to proactive, relationship-based policing. The funding supports not only recruitment but also officer training in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and collaborative problem-solving—key strategies for building trust and accountability.

“This grant is a major step forward for public safety in Otero County,” said Undersheriff Raul Robles. “It will help us put more deputies on the streets and give our team the resources needed to serve our citizens with the professionalism and compassion they deserve.”

The Sheriff’s Office plans to use the funding to expand outreach programs, bolster youth engagement, and foster stronger partnerships with local schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. The initiative reflects a broader vision of law enforcement as a community-centered service—one rooted in transparency, responsiveness, and mutual respect.

The COPS Office program is designed to help law enforcement agencies nationwide build positive relationships with the communities they serve. In Otero County, the grant marks a renewed commitment to public safety through service, partnership, and ethical leadership.

For updates and information about community programs, residents are encouraged to visit the Otero County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook at @OteroCountySheriff.

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