County gets nearly $400K for new jail officers

The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration announced last week it had committed nearly $25 million to fund new correctional officers across the state, including three at the Quay County Correctional Center.

The allocation will help offer the cost of new correctional officer salaries for three years.

The Quay County Commission earlier this month approved a $393,750 grant agreement with the fund.

Jail administrator Johnny Reid said the facility has filled 16 of 18 positions, though county manager Daniel Zamora said the grant may prompt it to raise the total to 20.

Zamora said he might used the funds to fill the jail administrator’s position. Reid is set to retire this year.

The $24.8 million will fund 189 new positions in the state. In addition to Quay County, funds will fund new positions in neighboring Roosevelt, Curry and San Miguel counties.

“Correctional officer recruitment is essential for upholding safety within our facilities,” New Mexico Corrections Department Cabinet Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero said. “By investing in these positions, the state reinforces its commitment to public safety and our agency mission to strengthen New Mexico communities.”

DFA also has issued other public safety grants in recent years, including for nearly 1,000 police officers, 316 law enforcement staff positions and 190 firefighter and EMT positions.