The Gallup Independent reports Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace said last week his department is down to four deputies, a detective, a lieutenant, and a courtroom security officer to patrol the vast 4,500-square-mile area.
Grants Police Chief Steve Chavez heads the police department in the county’s largest city. He says he just lost five officers in a month.
The shortage comes as the county of 21,000 people is struggling with its budget and officers leave for higher-paying jobs.
State Police Capt. Eric Schum says the county needs to hire more deputies since state police also have limited resources.