The Associated Press
HOBBS, N.M. — A police chief in a small, southeastern New Mexico city who was suspended for having sex in the back of an ambulance said he will continue his run for a magistrate judge seat.
Jal Police Chief Larry Burns told the Hobbs News-Sun last week that he embarrassed the city after a secretly recorded tape of him was released to Albuquerque news station. But he does not intend to stop his campaign for the magistrate judge seat.
“I made a mistake,” Burns said. “I am really sorry I embarrassed my public and my community, my city. I paid my price, but evidently, some people don’t feel like I’ve paid enough.”
Burns was suspended last month following an in-house investigation conducted by interim City Manager Bob Gallagher.
Two television stations aired portions of a video of Burns having sex with a female companion inside a Jal ambulance parked where the city’s ambulances are kept.
“I don’t have a problem saying that it is part of the information I had when I suspended him without pay,” Gallagher said. “The tape was a piece of information I reviewed. As far as people saying he was on duty, there was no information I received that indicated he was on duty.”
It’s unclear who made the tape. Gallagher said the filming of the act is being investigated in-house and he has requested New Mexico State Police also investigate.
“I think it is not only a crime, but a blatant attempt to influence the election,” Gallagher said.