Alamosa Police Chief Ken Anderson, in a reverse of his decision to stay on the police force until the end of November, abruptly resigned effective immediately during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Captain Joey Spangler was appointed interim chief as the city conducts a search.
The immediate resignation came as a surprise to the City Council and to the nearly packed City Hall chambers. Anderson handed over his badge and gave a final salute to Mayor Ty Coleman and left the chambers. In a show of support, more than a dozen Alamosa police officers, as well as Alamosa County Sheriff Robert Jackson and four of his deputies walked out along with the chief.
Sheriff Jackson, when asked if Anderson will go to work for him at the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office, told The Citizen “We made him a job offer.”
“I’m flabbergasted that we just accepted his resignation,” City Councilor Mike Carson said.
“I did not know how frustrated he was, and I’m sorry,” Councilor Jan Vigil said. “There needs to be change. We need to know more of what the hell is going on.’’
Council members originally were going to have time to ask Anderson questions to address the issues he had raised prior to resigning, but without his presence the discussion turned to their support for him and regrets in not having the proper time and venue to speak with him directly.
“This will force us, as a council, to change,” said Councilor Dawn Krebs.
Anderson’s resignation raised questions on whether Alamosa has enough police officers, how it handles its homeless population, the effectiveness of the LEAD program, and whether drug crimes are out of control. His resignation also surfaced differences between City Council members and how they see these issues.
“I speak the truth when I say it has truly been a pleasure and honor,” Anderson said, his voice cracking.
His disagreements with City Manager Heather Sanchez over how the city is policed ran deeper than the councilors seemed to be aware of and his comments before the City Council caught them off guard.
“It is now up to you, meaning City Council, to either believe or brush them aside to start making the best decisions for our city and our police department,” Anderson said.