[NM] New Mexico State Police Officer Serrano fired for hitting, biting wife

New Mexico State Police officer Luis Serrano, 28, smacked and bit his wife during a fight. Serrano was fired from the New Mexico state police May 14, three days after being placed on paid administrative leave, "based upon the finding of the incident."

OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: STATE COP COULD LOSE BADGE
KRQE
Amanda Goodman
11 May 2010
[Excerpts] A New Mexico State Police officer was arrested on a domestic-violence charge Tuesday in San Juan County. Luis Serrano, 28, smacked and bit his wife during a fight... “slapped her two times across her face because she was crying to loud”... Serrano was arrested and charged with one count of battery on a household member... Serrano was placed on administrative leave. State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said the department chief will make the decision about Serrano’s future with the department by Friday...

STATE OFFICER ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY BITING WIFE
Daily Times
Elizabeth Piazza
May 12, 2010.
[Excerpts] ...Luis Serrano, 28, who was employed Feb. 8, 2009, was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident and his employment status will be determined by the end of the week, State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said in a release... "It all depends on the circumstances of the case," spokesman Peter Olson said of his employment status. "Every issue is handled as an individual issue and we have to look at all the facts of the case before we make a determination"... The couple's friend, Ashley Polanco, told police she heard "a smack which she described as sounding like a slap on bare skin," and heard Serrano's wife cry out, "please stop, you're hurting me"... The deputy noticed redness and swelling on the wife's lips, but did not see any visible injuries on Serrano's face...

DA SEEKS TO MOVE CASE AGAINST OFFICER
Daily Times
Elizabeth Piazza
May 25, 2010.
[Excerpts] The District Attorney's Office, to avoid any improprieties, is asking an outside agency to prosecute the state police officer who is accused of biting and hitting his wife... Serrano, 28, is charged with misdemeanor battery on a household member after he allegedly slapped his wife twice on the face, held her down on the bed and shook her head from side to side while holding it tightly during a May 11 incident... Serrano was fired from the New Mexico state police May 14, three days after being placed on paid administrative leave, "based upon the finding of the incident," State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said.... Serrano also is a member of the 717th Support Unit for the New Mexico National Guard, said Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, spokesman for the New Mexico National Guard...
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