Santa Fe liable for tribal officer’s defense, says court

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – A new court ruling says Santa Fe is responsible for the defense of a tribal officer who is being sued over actions he took to enforce state law.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the state Supreme Court ruled Monday that Santa Fe is responsible for defending Pojoaque Pueblo tribal officer Glen Gutierrez in a 2010 lawsuit because he was given authority by the sheriff’s office commission.

The Santa Fe County says the decision will at least temporarily result in less police coverage in the county and could impact mutual-aid agreements because he won’t place the county in further liability from those arrangements.

Jose Luis Loya is suing Gutierrez. He says the officer physically attacked him after a traffic stop.

Guiterrez could not be reached for comment.

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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com