14 deputies stationed in ex-garage

SIERRA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) - They're hired to protect the community, but Sheriff's Deputies in Sierra County don't feel like the county has got their backs in return.

Deputies have been working out of a building that was built as an ambulance garage in 1974.

The workspace is 2,200 square feet and houses 14 deputies and staff members.

"I was going to spend a lot of time in the field, not a lot of time in the office." said Lt. Glenn Hamilton when he saw the building when he was first hired.

There are two problems with the building. First, you can find cracks in every wall. The ceiling is even separating from a load-bearing wall.

Second, there's a lack of space in the building. It's so tight; staff members have gotten creative and are storing files in the bathroom.

There are old canceled purchase orders and receipts from vendors in the boxes. Files are crammed in every room.

"Almost zero storage," Hamilton said. "Space is a high priority, storage, but above all, something that's conducive to a work environment."

In the actual bay that once housed the ambulances, there are now four Deputies desks.

There is no privacy when Deputies interview suspects and victims.

"They don't feel too comfortable speaking about a lot of issues" Hamilton said.

This is not acceptable to Eagle Ashcroft. The 77-year-old man is a retired law enforcement officer who now spends a lot of time at the Sierra County Sheriff's Department.

"I'm a person that don't quit. I don't quit" he said.

Ashcroft started a group called 'Friends of the Sheriff' to raise money and awareness about the cramped conditions and safety concerns.

"It's a disgrace. I look at this and you look at a third world county and you see how the police departments look and they look similar to this, we're not in a third world county, we're in the United States of America. What are we doing with a building like this? This is ridiculous," Ashcroft said.

Sierra County Manager Jan Porter Carrejo said she's aware of the poor conditions at the Sheriff's Department.

However she said there's just no money in the budget. A big chunk of cash was just used for the more than $5 million renovation of the District Courthouse and Jail that sits just across the parking lot from the sheriff's office.

Congressman Harry Teague is looking to see if there are federal funds available for the new Sheriff's building.

Ashcroft believes it will cost $1.5 million.

In the meantime, the county is talking to a private land owner about renting another building for the deputies.