The Associated Press
BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) -- Bernalillo Police Chief Ramon Montijo plans to sue the town council after it voted unanimously Monday night to fire him.
“I know I’m going to sue, and I know I’m going to win,” said Montijo, who had been on suspension since mid-August. “Either way it will have cost the town more to do what they did than to keep me as the police chief.”
The Bernalillo Police Department has been in turmoil since January when the council decided not to renew the contract of former Police Chief William Reylea.
Montijo came on board as chief in late April, but Mayor Charles Aguilar suspended him two months later when he refused to give details of an ongoing investigation of the department. The council reinstated Montijo a week later.
In August, Town Manager Lester Swindle relieved Montijo of his duties and put him on paid administrative leave until noon Sept. 30.
Aguilar told the council Monday he terminated Montijo’s employment that day and asked councilors to ratify his decision, which they did.
There was no discussion or public comment allowed at Monday night’s meeting.
Montijo’s attorney, Ira Bolnick, said the town is required to give those being accused the opportunity to produce any relevant documents, witnesses or other evidence in their defense.
“They have refused to let him defend himself,” Bolnick said.
Montijo called for an outside investigation of the department shortly after he was hired. He said he found many problems within the department.
The investigation -- conducted by the FBI, Rio Rancho police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -- focused on allegations of missing evidence and problems with weapons held by the department.
Sandoval County District Attorney Lemuel Martinez said his office was reviewing the allegations.