Otero County Jail Staff Issue Whistleblower Plea Over Dangerous Conditions and Training Gaps

ALAMOGORDO, NM — Staff at the Otero County Detention Center are breaking their silence, issuing a desperate plea for help as they navigate what they describe as a "lethal" work environment. In a series of whistleblower reports to include a public letter addressed to Alamogordo Chief Kunihiro, (who has no authority over the county facility), but staff is desperate for training begging for assistance from anywhere it can be found.

Jail staff members are calling for immediate intervention from Alamogordo city officials out of desperation, claiming their own county leaders have ignored repeated warnings regarding safety and staffing.

Critical Understaffing and Safety Risks

According to a report delivered to the Otero County Commission during their March 12, 2026 meeting, the detention center is currently operating with at least eight full-time officer vacancies [26:31]. This chronic understaffing has led to a breakdown in facility security, with staff reporting that during half of the scheduled shifts, zero personnel are equipped with defensive tools like tasers or pepper spray.

Whistleblowers claim that inmates have become aware of these vulnerabilities and are capitalizing on the lack of "less-lethal" options, acting more aggressively toward the skeleton crews. "The fact we are not trained in OC [pepper spray], Taser, firearm, or any defensive driving is quite honestly asking for an officer to get injured or God forbid worse," one staff member wrote in a letter circulated publicly.

The Training Gap

The primary point of contention is a complete lack of certification in essential safety protocols. Staff members allege they are being asked to perform the duties of "transport officers" without the required training or firearms certifications. The whistleblower letter states:

• Only one officer in the entire facility is currently trained in firearms.

• Newer staff have received zero training in de-escalation, crowd control, or self-defense.

• Management has reportedly cited "underfunding" and "time constraints" as excuses for the lack of training.

Whistleblowers Seek City Intervention

Fearing retaliation from jail leadership but fearing for their lives more, staff members have reached out to Alamogordo City Officials. They are asking the city to provide the necessary certifications and training that the county has allegedly failed to deliver nor even listen or respond to their requests. 

The move to contact city leadership is a direct result of perceived negligence by county officials. Staff claim that while they have followed "post orders" and internal channels, their pleas for safety equipment and training have been met with silence.

No Response from County Leadership

Efforts to obtain comments from county leadership have so far been unsuccessful. An email inquiry sent to Otero County Commissioner Amy Barela and County Attorney RB Nichols regarding the employee complaints and the request for outside training remained unanswered as of 8:30 PM on Friday.

During the March 12, 2026 Otero County Commission meeting, the board briefly discussed detention center statistics of 166 inmates, discussed  the eight vacancies, a d discussed the publicity stunt with Amy Barela of a few inmates participating in a county cleanup day. No dialogue was recorded concerning the staff allegations of a lack of training and concerns by staff for their safety. 

For now, the officers at the Otero County Detention Center say they are "refusing to be victims of incompetence" and continue to push for the training they need to ensure they return home safely after every shift. It's time for the county leadership to explain to citizens why the health and safety of jail staff is being put at risk.

These accusations follow multiple historical events involving suicides, drug abuse in the jail and a recent $2 Million settlement as a result of a death at the jail.  Staff and inmates deserve a safe environment. 

Source Video: Otero County Commission Meeting Thursday March 12, 2026

Letters and Whistleblower phone conversations and email notes from jail staff to Alamogordo Town News.

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