Ruidoso Downs Police Department

About Ruidoso Downs:

Bring a picnic, cast for fish, paddle a boat, cycle, horseback ride, or explore on foot the many trails throughout Ruidoso Downs New Mexico! Located in Lincoln County, New Mexico, the City of Ruidoso Downs works hard to serve its residents while offering small city affordability and quality of life in southern New Mexico.

In its early days, the Ruidoso Downs Police Department was staffed by one officer who was known as the Town Marshal. For many years, the Town Marshal and the New Mexico State Police were the only law enforcement officials in Ruidoso Downs. Since then, the Department has evolved into a staff of eight full-time Police Officers and seven non-commissioned employees.

Today, the Ruidoso Downs Police Department is led by Chief Mark Hargrove. His responsibilities include the administration of the department which encompasses the Police and Communications departments.

Mission Statement

The Ruidoso Downs Police Department expects its personnel to maintain high standards of appearance and conduct. The public similarly expects such high standards. Police officers wield considerable power over the citizenry, power that is carefully circumscribed by state and federal law, and, ultimately, by the constitution and bill of rights. Our powers to arrest, seize property, and therefore, at times, with the lives of citizens constitute a public trust. We can help ensure that we regard this trust as vital by exemplary performance in our jobs. Performance is not enough: we must always conduct ourselves in an exemplary fashion. Ethical behavior by employees of this department is imperative in maintaining the trust and respect of the citizens with this community. Should this trust or respect ever be compromised for allegations of unethical conduct, a full scale internal investigation will be initiated and vigorously pursued. An internal investigation will serve to uncover any alleged police practices/behavior which are considered to be undesirable or dispel any citizen speculation of its existence.

As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as symbol of public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before god to my chosen profession - Law Enforcement.