EX-cop wins suit against city , sort of

Updated: Thursday, 22 Dec 2011, 11:58 AM MST
Published : Thursday, 22 Dec 2011, 9:33 AM MST

Nancy Laflin

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Orlando Camacho sued the city and Police Chief Ray Schultz for back pay and to get his job back with APD. Wednesday, a jury ruled in favor of Camacho but he didn't get everything he was asking for.

The jury awarded Camacho $6,000, not for back pay but for violating Camacho's civil rights. Jurors ruled the city and Chief Schultz didn't give him due process.

City attorneys say Camacho violated several department policies in 2006 when he shot and killed the man he called his father. Camacho fired his service weapon during an argument at the home the men shared.

Camacho wasn't working that night, but was wearing his APD uniform.

In 2009 Camacho was acquitted of the murder, then fought to get back pay and to come back to APD. Instead the jury awarded him $6,000 for the civil rights violation.

APD says regardless of the jury's decision, Camacho will not be coming back to APD.

"He is no longer certified. His certification has been suspended, but more importantly the decision has been made that he is not qualified to be an officer for the Albuquerque Police Department," said Deputy City Attorney Kathy Levy.

Even though APD says they will never rehire Camacho, he says he'll keep on fighting to get his old job. He plans to take the issue to court again.