Las Cruces police officers are now patrolling area Walmart stores in the wake of the Aug. 3 mass-shooting that killed 22 and injured several more in El Paso, Texas.
The City of Las Cruces entered into agreement with Walmart, through a private security company contacted by Walmart, to allow off-duty LCPD officers to work 12-hour shifts at the local stores. There are four Walmart stores in Las Cruces.
The Outside Employment allows LCPD officers to work 12-hour shifts, in uniform, outside their regular duty hours. The Walmart stores will be manned by Outside Employment officers 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Las Cruces police officers were first allowed to work Outside Employment in 2018 when General Orders were approved to include Secondary Employment, Off-Duty Employment and Extra-Duty Employment.
Off-Duty Employment is defined as employment obtained by an officer where the actual and potential use of law enforcement services is anticipated, is of a police nature and provides law enforcement services. Off-Duty Employment is primarily anticipated to include store and facility security services. Offices receive compensation directly from the business that hires them and not from LCPD.
Information from Las Cruces Police