Cops' Facebook pic draws gang concerns

SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) - A group of cops and deputies have drawn some unwanted attention with a Facebook picture some people find offensive. Others say it's just a group of guys having a good time.

The photo is of four law enforcement officers from two different agencies. Their bosses say the men may have used poor judgment, but they say they did not break any rules.

One of those officers, Carlos Valenzuela, proudly touts he is an officer on his Facebook page. He has a photo of himself in uniform.

Right next to that is a photo of Valenzuela and his buddies -- one with Socorro Police Department, the other two deputies with the Valencia County Sheriff's Department.

In the photo two of the officers are making "S" signs. The Socorro police chief says he talked to his officers about it and they told him the "S" was for Socorro.

But to some, that sign has a whole other meaning.

"To me it's like gang-related," said Socorro resident Ernest Sedillo.

Sedillo, a former gang member and now a father, says he doesn't think officers should joke about or display photos like that on Facebook.

"I would like for them to set better examples. That's kinda wrong to me, you know?" Sedillo said.

But other Socorro residents who saw the photo said they saw nothing wrong with it.

"I don't see anything offensive with that picture," said Vivian Shepardson. "Unless I'm missing something, it's just four guys mugging for the camera."

The Valencia County sheriff says his deputies didn't violate any of the department's social-media policies. The Socorro police chief says his department doesn't have a social-media policy, but he did discuss the issue with his men.

KRQE News 13 checked Wednesday night, and the photo had been removed from Valenzuela's Facebook page.