Houston Lost; Helicopter to Aide in Search

Bernalillo County Sheriff, Dan Houston, has apparently “lost” his way. Houston had told Albuquerque Journal in May of 2011 that the Sheriff’s Department Helicopter was going up for sale. The reason for this proposed sale was the enormous cost of running the 3.2 million dollar aircraft. Houston claimed that he wanted to use the proceeds from the sale to purchase 40 new squad cars and possibly purchase a fixed-winged aircraft.

As you recall the aircraft was purchased by former nefarious Sheriff, Darren White, to fulfill his legacy of narcissism. The purchase of the aircraft was not needed and was strictly to satisfy White’s need for the “look at me” routine he is notorious for doing.

Then in June of 2011, Houston posts a job opening for; wait for it, a helicopter pilot. This makes absolutely no sense if they are selling one of the aircrafts. There is a slim to no possibility that all the pilots BCSO have quit suddenly. BCSO has two helicopters in their fleet.

Then in August of 2011, Houston reports to KRQE the aircraft that was for sale is now back up in the air. The Sheriff through his spokesperson gave a bunch of gibberish justification for not selling the helicopter and placing it back in service. BCSO has a Huey helicopter that works fine and costs much less to use.

Next and most recently, Houston asked the County Commission for a whopping 1.3 million dollars to operate this costly helicopter. The current budget for the BCSO Aircraft Unit is around $460,000.00. This brings the cost of the unit into the neighborhood of 1.8 million. BCSO has yet to deal with several different litigations that will cost million. For example, BCSO’s shooting on the Interstate with the stolen bus offender who was stopped and was unarmed and surrounded by over twenty coppers...If BCSO is able to squeeze out of that one, perhaps the money should be spent on proper training.

This is ridicules; the Bernalillo County Commission approved $800,000.00 in additional spending for the BCSO Air Unit. 800k for a helicopter that was supposed to be sold a year ago. The County Commission should be held accountable if they allow frivolous spending. First of all, BCSO has a good useable helicopter; second, there is not a legitimate justification for an increase of $800,000.00 other than pure vanity on behalf of Sheriff Houston.

APD has an air unit as does the New Mexico State Police. Perhaps Houston needs to learn to play better with others and ask for help if the need ever occurs. Commissioner De La Cruz suggested buying a fixed-wing aircraft, this idea only builds on Houston’s first suggestion. There are other resources and options available to Houston but he will never stoop that low to ask for help but then again vain people are that way.

At the end of the County Commission meeting, Sheriff Houston took a cheap shot at the public, "...I am not effectively able to protect them (citizens of Bernalillo County) the way that I should be able too." Commissioner De La Cruz, stated, "if you tell citizenry that you can't keep em' safe and other sheriffs have been clearly able to do so; you know, it's a question that I'm disappointed in..." The Eye completely agrees with Mr. De La Cruz, if Houston cannot keep the citizens safe, he needs to get out of the way and the citizens need to place a competent sheriff in office who can protect us! This is the vanity we spoke about earlier in this article.

Houston was voted in by the public and trying to scare the public, frivolous spending and liability is going to lead him being voted out.

Sheriff Houston; you need to reconsider your options and you clearly owe the public an apology.

Sheriff’s Department Mimic Keystone Kops

The Eye was taken aback by the action of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department during a recent police pursuit. As reported in the Journal (see here) convicted felon Roy Holliday failed to stop for deputies earlier in the day. A second attempt to apprehend Holliday failed when Undersheriff Ron Paiz blocked an escape route on a dead-end street that Holliday went down. This is when the “Keystone Kops” routine started.


Paiz was in an unmarked Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department vehicle. The article does not state if Paiz was in uniform or recognizable as a law enforcement officer. Taking into account that Holliday is and has been a convicted felon for some time, the probability of another criminal looking for Holliday is highly probable, not-with-standing, law enforcement. When Paiz responded and set up what appears to be a possible “roadblock,” at the mouth of a road that dead ended. Paiz waited for Holliday to return to the mouth of the street to exit the area. This is where Holliday tried to escape and where Paiz’s vehicle was hit. The alleged “ramming” of Paiz’ vehicle lead to a police pursuit. The Journal article claims that Paiz was not hurt and his vehicle only sustained minor damage.


There are several issues that come into question:


Did Holliday mistake Paiz’s vehicle as a regular car and not a police car, since it was not marked?


Did Holliday mistake Paiz for a “regular Joe” and not a law enforcement officer?


When Paiz obstructed Holliday’s’ path, did Paiz leave an avenue of escape for the offender which is mandated by case law?


After Holliday fled, did Holliday pose an on-going and continuous threat to life or peril to the public?


Was this perceived threat or actual threat monitored constantly to see if it was appropriate to terminate the pursuit?


Was this pursuit simply hurt feelings?


Doesn’t “ramming” another vehicle cause significant damage?


If Holliday was not worthy of a continuous pursuit earlier, what gave legitimate rise for the Sheriff’s Department to initiate this pursuit?


Shouldn’t a supervisor have realized the flaws and immediately called off the pursuit? Shouldn’t have Undersheriff Paiz called it off?


The media like the Journal enjoys coining key words such as, police “chase.” Children “chase” each other; police officers engage in pursuits to apprehend criminals. This is a huge difference.


Sheriff Houston should be applauded for his actions up to this point. Houston has raised the Sheriff’s Department from the dust and rubble to a higher level of professionalism that was left behind by Darren White. However, Sheriff Houston should ensure that his department adhere to the standard custom and practices amongst the law enforcement community. This pursuit does not appear to meet the standards that the public feels comfortable with and should be investigated. Pursuing a person who is no longer a threat for fifteen minutes during rush hour traffic is absolutely insane. This case has vicarious liability written all over it. If a pursuit is legitimate and bona fide; the community will always stand by law enforcement.


The public already knows that it is useless to file an I.A. complaint on an issue such as this one. White and Baragiola had a standing policy about I.A. (Internal Affairs) Investigations; if they liked you, no investigation no matter how serious the offense. If you were not liked, J walk and you’re fired! That is not public perception, it’s the truth.


Sheriff Houston will have to break out the shovel to clean up all the shizzle that White left behind. Trutouch was only one mess White left for Houston; there will be more to come like the mess with the Sheriff’s Departments’ I.A. Unit. Sheriff Houston should release the radio dispatch tapes of this pursuit to the public in order to maintain public trust and confidence, and to prove transparency.

Governor to Change "Ethical" Judicial Standards Commission, to "Unethical" Judicial Standards Commission

Newly elected Governor Martinez ran a strong race only to politically shoot herself in the foot. Martinez appointed Albuquerque’s Public Safety Director, Darren White, to the Judicial Standards Commission. This commission must be comprised of a person’s high ethics. Governor Martinez, this appointment gives you an "F." It is also rumored that White is set to be appointed to another commission for athletics. White has a string of questionable ethics violations dating back to his first political appointment.

White in 2003 partnered with current Senate Candidate Heather Wilson and TruTouch to develop an alcohol detection machine. White used $1,100,000.00 to develop and purchase three machines. White never used the machines claiming that TruTouch never showed them how to use them, however, in a signed Bernalillo County document; White claimed that his department was part of the field trial use of the machines. NMDOT later purchased a similar type of machine for $13,000.00 each from TruTouch compared to White who paid $126,500.00 per machine. When including the development of the machines, White spent approximately $366,000.00 for each machine he authorized his department to purchase. Our current ethical Sheriff, Dan Houston, has called for an investigation into the matter by the New Mexico Attorney General.

White was investigated by the New Mexico Attorney General in 2008. White allowed APS high ranking officials to use the NCIC data base to conduct background checks on their girlfriends and whistle blowers in APS in order to harass them. In one article located by the Eye it claims, “The Attorney General's Office found that Darren White, personally, had broken the law, the NMIPRA, in his effort to suppress the truth.” You get that part about "suppressing the truth" Governor Martinez? In 2008 White also received money from TruTouch for his campaign for Congress. White was trampled by Congressmen Martin Heinrich. The money TruTouch gave to White was not immediately disclosed causing other troubles for White and the County.

More recently Darren White was at the center of another debacle where Sheriff White and the County of Bernalillo will have to pay out $3,000,000.00 for the Sheriff's Department illegally seizing money from different people. The City of Albuquerque Police Department under the watchful eye of Chief Ray Schultz already paid out an additional $882,900.00, as reported in the Albuquerque Journal. $3,000,000.00 Governor; let's spell this out in plain clear language, Three million dollars!

The newest questionable ethical caper by White is the Brad Arensfield federal trail. It is alleged that White may have leaked information to a target via his girlfriend, now wife. In a story only seen here on the Eye, we talked about Arendsfields’ recent appeal. The story states in part, "In the appeal, Mr. Bryan admits that the information received by his wife was via White's wife. Mr. Bryan states that he was provided intimate details from White’s wife, which was provided by her husband, Albuquerque’s Public Safety Director, Darren White. Mr. Bryan considered Darren White to be a friend, another allegation White denied on the stand."

And last but not least, White has received two "NO CONFIDENCE" votes. The first one was from the New Mexico State Police and the second blow was a vote of "NO CONFIDENCE" by the men and women of the Albuquerque Police Department. White should have three; one was scheduled to be conducted by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department but White left before it was done. Governor, if the cops think he is unacceptable, you should be following the facts presented.

Governor Martinez appears to be a very bright, sharp, educated and a seasoned professional with a potential to rise to a much higher level. Now that she has a self inflicted political gunshot wound to her foot by her own choosing; her chances of running again or gaining support for anything is dismal at best. Did Governor Martinez do her homework? Is the Governor going to now change the name of the commission to the "Unethical Judicial Standards Commission?" Does the Governor really want her name tied to Darren White? White out of respect for himself and every citizen of this State needs to resign and step down. Governor Martinez, wake up, based even on the appearance of impropriety you should rid yourself of this cancer. If you leave this appointment; the "bar" will be lower than dirt. Bear in Mind Governor Martinez; you are only as strong as you weakest link. This newest link is as flimsy as a cheap single piece of toilet tissue.

Ties Questionable between TruTouch and Darren White

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Bernalillo County Sheriff, Dan Houston, recently discovered $1,000,000.00 in DWI machines that were never used from TruTouch. Sound bad; it is! Back in 2008, (then) Sheriff, Darren White, administered a grant to purchase the machines and stated that he fully supported TruTouch. It would not be for some time that all the problems associated with these acts would come to light.

TruTouch President, James McNally and board member David Durgin, were contributors to White’s campaign for his failed attempt to run for the First Congressional District. White was beaten down by current Congressmen (D) Martin Heinrich. TruTouch violated state law by their failure to disclose pre-contract contributions. This also appears to be a violation of the contract itself. After receiving a huge no-bid contract with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, White’s campaign received an additional $2,500.00.

White claims he had no fault, having accepted the contribution which was legal and reported to Federal Election Commission.

Between McNally and Durgin, they contributed a $3,500.00, in spite; Sheriff White was responsible for reporting how well the TruTouch machines performed.

The Eye does give White full credit to owning up to this. In his statement below, White clearly acknowledges and accepts responsibility.

“The Sheriff’s [sic] fully supports the Sole Source contract award to TruTouch Technologies…. The Sheriff’s Department will oversee the project and expenditure of grant funds and submit all necessary reports to the proper agencies. [Signed] Darren P. White, Sheriff — 2/19/2008″

Source: http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/271139335948newsstate10-27-08.htm

It appears Darren White failed to follow through. The $1,000,000.00 machines were no more useful than a ten cent paperweight, the big difference is; the ten cent paperweight was used.

“White, who is now Albuquerque's Public Safety Director, said the machines were never used because nobody at the Sheriff's Office could get TruTouch to teach them how to use the devices.

However, a company news release says those machines, and a newer version under development, do not require user training, according to a Journal story published in January on venture capital investments for the company.”

Source: http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/022328557327newsmetro03-02-11.htm#ixzz1FSUWa8aD

Who is Lying; Albuquerque’s Public Safety Director, (former Sheriff) Darren White or TruTouch?

The information below may help answer this question.

While still holding the “bag,” White is still backing TruTouch even after a $1,100,000.00 price tag and a complete lost to us tax payers. The big question then becomes why?

One of the Eye On Albuquerque researchers located these two reference documents;

Agenda Item Number: 2007-2-7A
BERNALILLO COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Risk Management Contractor shall defend, indemnify and forever hold and save the County, its officers and employees harmless against any and all suits, causes of action, claims, liabilities, damages, losses and reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other expenses of any kind from any source which may arise out of this Agreement or any amendment hereto, if caused by the negligent act, error, or omission, or intentional act, error, or omission of the Contractor, its officers, employees, servants or agents. David Baca, Risk Management Director

Source: http://www.bernco.gov/live/..%5C%5Cupload%5Cimages%5Cagenda_items%5Cbcc_2007%5C2_27%5C7a.pdf

Agenda Item Number: 2008-4-6A
BERNALILLO COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ELECTED OFFICIAL/OTHERS
Sheriffs Department:
The Sheriff’s fully supports the Sole Source contract award to TruTouch Technologies of
Albuquerque. TruTouch has demonstrated that they are the only bio-medical research firm
that has the current technology to test, develop, and manufacture the non-invasive biosensor
units. The department has actually done preliminary field work with a prior generation device in conjunction with TruTouch and were very encouraged by the efficacy of the capabilities and results provided by this equipment. The Sheriff’s Department will over-see the project and expenditure of grant funds and submit all necessary reports to the proper agencies.
Darren P. White, Sheriff - 2/19/2008
Now, that this phase of the development of the project is complete Senator Kent Cravens has
sponsored two Senate bills to provide funding to Bernalillo County to purchase prototype noninvasive biometric devices for testing in the field. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department has agreed to participate in this field testing phase by managing and awarding the state grant money contracts, as well as being the first law enforcement agency in the United States to test this technology in “real life” law enforcement situations. If this sole source is approved, the procurement will allow for the non-invasive biometric sensor project to move forward through the gathering of data and determining the workability of the instrument for further development. The data and information from this testing will also be forwarded on to Representative Wilson, Senator Cravens, as well as Governor Richardson’s office for review. The equipment purchased will remain the property of Bernalillo County. The Sheriff’s Department has been awarded two Special Appropriations from the New Mexico State Legislature to purchase non-invasive alcohol and screening prototype equipment for the purpose of detecting and measuring alcohol levels in motorists while driving under the influence. The total amount of the two appropriations is$380,000. Both appropriations were sponsored by State Senator Kent Cravens of Albuquerque. The non-invasive alcohol screening equipment is part of Bernalillo County’s on-going initiative to develop “State of the Art” testing equipment for the interdiction and prevention of drunk driving.

Source: http://www.bernco.gov/live/..%5C%5Cupload%5Cimages%5Cagenda_items%5Cbcc_2008%5C4_8%5C6a.pdf

In the Agenda Item Number: 2007-2-7A, it clearly states that the Risk Manager, David Baca, placed the legal verbage to allow legal recourse. Perhaps this may be something that the County of Bernalillo Government should explore.

In the Agenda Item Number: 2008-4-6A, it states, “The department has actually done preliminary field work with a prior generation device in conjunction with TruTouch and were very encouraged by the efficacy of the capabilities and results provided by this equipment.” … Darren P. White, Sheriff - 2/19/2008 (Italic added for emphasis)


“The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department has agreed to participate in this field testing phase by managing and awarding the state grant money contracts, as well as being the first law enforcement agency in the United States to test this technology in “real life” law enforcement situations.” (Italic added for emphasis)


If this is true, Darren White had knowledge that the Sheriff’s Department already knew how to use the machines because he claims his Department actually used them in the field testing. This contradicts his statement that the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department did not know how to use these machines.

White was also tasked with managing the State Grant Money and ensuring it was done correctly. What is really going on here?

What was this? Was this a play to pay scheme? You will have to decide.

Sheriff Houston, if there is a bono-fied problem here, as a public elected official you are being summons to duty; you have the legitimate authority and duty to call for an official investigation. Perhaps the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office since this involved State Grant Funding. Don’t bother with Bernalillo County District Attorney, Kari Brandenburg; in all probability she will do nothing as she did in another felony case that involved White. The Feds should be included since it involved Federal Grant Funding. If the Feds blow you off, go to the Department of Justice. It is your decision Sheriff Houston…

Here are a few final thoughts. Does the APOA President, Joey Sigala, Know something we don’t? Sigala stated in his Journal editorial on Monday, February 28, 2011, titled, “No-Confidence Vote About More Than Cars.” Sigala stated, “As the city faces a $40 million budget deficit, now might be the time to eliminate the position altogether. If not eliminate the position, then the Albuquerque Police Officer's Association is asking the mayor to consider a change of leadership at the position of chief Public Safety officer.” You will have to decide.

Here is what our Honorable Congressmen, Martin Heinrich, stated back in 2008, “ Heinrich contended that White received "illegal contributions" from officials of TruTouch Technologies, which received a sole-source contract earlier this year for the sheriff's department to test high-tech, noninvasive DWI enforcement technology. Heinrich said the contributions violated a state ethics law.”

Source: http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/271139335948newsstate10-27-08.htm

Mayor Berry; the Eye has made humor concerning your non-responsible and non-responsive behavior. With all due respect; we ask you to step up and be the leader that we elected. Please deal with your “White Elephant.”

UPDATE
Company won't answer fraud questions

Items purchased in 2008 called into question

Updated: Friday, 04 Mar 2011, 9:18 AM MST
Published : Friday, 04 Mar 2011, 9:00 AM MST
• Reporter: Nancy Laflin
• Web Producer: Blair Shiff

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The New Mexico Attorney General is investigating whether fraud was committed regarding TruTouch machines purchased in 2008. Then-Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said the machines never worked...

...the taxpayers in Bernalillo County and the state of New Mexico and basically even nationwide, invested over $1 million into three boxes that are down in our basement that are worthless," said now-Sheriff Dan Houston.
Houston wants to know if any fraud was committed, so he has contacted the Attorney General.
Darren White was sheriff at the time the machines were purchased and said they never worked.

END UPDATE (Update posted at 10:20 PM 4 Mar 11)