NEWS Former Hobbs Police Chief Vindicated
in ACLU Suit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
CONTACT:
Peter Simonson, Executive Director, ACLU of New Mexico at 505-266-5915, ext. 1002

HOBBS – The City of Hobbs has agreed to pay $70,000 to former Hobbs Police Chief Kenneth Bohn to resolve civil rights claims that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico brought on his behalf last September. The suit stemmed from Bohn’s firing on August 11th, a move that surprised leaders in the Black and Hispanic communities and spurred protests at city council meetings. The ACLU will receive roughly $17,000 in attorneys fees and costs from the settlement.

“We are very pleased with this outcome,” said ACLU Executive Director Peter Simonson. “The amount of the settlement offer reflects the seriousness of the civil rights violations that city officials committed against Chief Bohn. Unfortunately, the real losers in this deal are the citizens of Hobbs. Not only have they lost an upstanding leader for their police force, but also they are left with the problems that Chief Bohn tried to clean up.”

The ACLU alleged that Bohn was fired in retaliation for raising concerns about pay inequities within the police department and for insisting on a full investigation of the police evidence room. Complaints of missing weapons, transfer records, and homicide evidence had plagued the evidence room stemming from policies and practices that predated Bohn. When Bohn arrived, he also discovered what he believed to be evidence that the department had used proceeds from drug investigation forfeitures to buy video and audio recording devices that Bohn found to be secretly planted throughout the department. In May, 2005, Bohn requested an independent audit of the police department’s evidence room by the State Auditor and District Attorney’s office.

Bohn also voiced his concerns about disparities in the pay level of different officers at the June 27th Hobbs City Commission meeting. Shortly thereafter, Bohn received a “draft performance evaluation” from the City Manager Dan Dible. Although Bohn received excellent marks for job performance, Dible criticized him for speaking up about safety concerns related to pay inequities.

Bohn reiterated his concerns about pay equity at a subsequent meeting of the Commission on July 17th. On August 10th, mere days after Bohn received a substantial pay raise, Dible issued Bohn an ultimatum that he was to resign or be terminated the following day. The letter confirming Bohn’s termination gave no reasons for the firing.

Simonson said, “I think the Chief is just glad to conclude this episode of his life. It’s a hard thing for anyone to face unfair treatment in their job, even a guy as tough as the Chief.

The ACLU’s relationship with Hobbs is not over though. That’s a troubled police department. I have no doubt that we will see more civil rights problems arise in the coming years. The ACLU will be there when it does.”

Peter G. Simonson
Executive Director | ACLU of New Mexico
PO Box 566 | Albuquerque, NM 87103
Tel: (505) 266-5915 | Fax: 266-5916