The state line may divide them but both Anthony New Mexico Police Chief Flores and Anthony Texas Police Chief Enriquez share a common goal to provide safety to the residents of Anthony Texas, New Mexico. In Anthony, New Mexico and Anthony, Texas domestic violence is a big problem. The largest number of crimes the Anthony, NM Police department responds to are for domestic violence. Second is Aggravated domestic battery against a household member. This type of crime usually involves a weapon like a knife. “In that kind of situation”, Chief Flores from the Anthony, New Mexico Police states, “it becomes a lot more dangerous for the officers involved because now they are working with people who have emotional attachments and when you start messing with issues of the heart, things can get very explosive.” On the other side of the state line, the Town of Anthony Texas Police department also responds to a high number of domestic violence and crimes of theft.
Chief Flores of the Anthony, New Mexico Police suggested that his department could benefit from more police training in handling domestic violence problems and the community could benefit from more public programs to educate themselves about domestic violence. Chief Enriquez, of the Anthony Texas Police, also agrees with the benefits of training by stating that “Police training is essential because the more training you have, the better officer you become, the better you interact with the citizens and the better it makes you overall.”
Each individual police department police officer per capita rates vary depending on a range of factors. Police staffing is also subject to the municipal budget. The City of Anthony New Mexico and Town of Anthony Texas should each have one officer per 500 citizens. Chief Flores of the Anthony, New Mexico Police currently has eight officers under him and approval for two more. With a population of approximately 9,330 citizens the city of Anthony, New Mexico is at approximately one officer per 1,000 citizens.
Chief Enriquez, of the Anthony Texas Police, was at fifteen officers and now has grown to 17 officers thanks to a partnership with the Anthony Independent School District that provides the school with two resource officers. The school district pays for three quarters of the resource officers’ salaries and the other ¼ is paid for by the town. With a population of approximately 5,584 the Town of Anthony has approximately 1.5 officers per 1,000 of citizens.
As with smaller agencies, the biggest issue both departments face is officer retention. It is harder for these agencies to hold on to good officers because the bigger government agency’s offer better pay. Each department turnover rate varies but averages one officer per year.
Chief Flores, of the Anthony, New Mexico Police, believes the key to developing a good team is to be a good leader that has excellent listening skills. He says, “Not only does a good leader need to listen to their officers but they also need to listen to the needs and challenges of the community. Patience and good listening skills are needed to be a successful officer in the city of Anthony because of the high level of domestic violence in the area. Our officers need good listening skilling to figure out what the underlying problem is, so we can find the best solution.”
Chief Enriquez, of the Anthony Texas Police, believes the key to developing a good team starts from the bottom up. “If you don’t listen to the officers that are interacting with the community then you cannot be an effective leader. Compassion, common sense, open mind and the ability to take constructive criticism is what is needed to be a successful officer in the town of Anthony. We also encourage our citizens to approach us. If the citizens do not feel like the officers are approachable they can report any incidents to the town council”, states Chief Enriquez
Both the City of Anthony New Mexico and the Town of Anthony Texas Police Departments are open 24/7. They both always strive to have at least a minimum of two officers on duty. The City of Anthony does not handle their dispatch at (575) 882-2769. Their dispatch is handled in Las Cruces by the Mesilla Valley dispatch authority. Because of funding issues, the Town of Anthony dispatching is open Monday through Friday 8am-4pm by calling the local number (915) 886-3838. After hours and on weekends citizens of Anthony, Texas must call the El Paso County sheriff’s office at (915) 546-2280 for dispatch. Both Chief Flores and Chief Enriquez say that both their departments work well with each other and their local sheriff’s department.
If you are looking to join one of Anthony’s Police agencies, some of the prerequisites are completed schooling and police certification. Both Chief’s agree that it is fiscally responsible to hire someone with a completed police certification and at least a high school education. Candidates usually come from different law enforcement agencies or they go to El Paso Community College to get that Texas certification then come here for a two-week training.
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