BCSO sheriff shoplifter takedown, deputy tasing incident up for discussion
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —A takedown by Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, and a deputy tasing a man multiple times during a traffic stop are both up for discussion tomorrow at the Sheriff’s Office Advisory and Review Board meeting.
The board’s purpose is to improve public transparency and accountability and take public comment regarding the sheriff’s office operations. In some cases, it reviews activity and gives recommendations.
“Certainly, we’ve seen issues of use of force pop up. We’re very interested in them,” said Tommy Jewell, the board’s chair. “This board came about in the time of George Floyd and other uses of force that were of consequence. And so I suspect the public will have a continuing interest in how this state interacts with its citizens.”
Sheriff Allen already prepared a witness statement about taking down a shoplifter at Dick’s Sporting Goods while he was off duty a few weekends ago.
“I think it’s appropriate for the citizens to comment on it to ask questions about it and again this sheriff has been open in addressing those questions so I expect he will address our questions,” said Jewell.
A takedown by Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, and a deputy tasing a man multiple times during a traffic stop are both up for discussion tomorrow at the Sheriff’s Office Advisory and Review Board meeting.
The other use of force incident has to do with Deputy Patrick Rael tasing a man multiple times during a traffic stop in the East Mountains. He was accused of using excessive force. Reps from BCSO told KOB 4 today Sheriff Allen recently determined it was an excessive use of force, and Deputy Rael filed retirement paperwork in late July instead of accepting termination.
The Sheriff’s Office Advisory and Review Board invites public comment for Friday’s meeting at 1p.m.
You can sign up for public comment here.