LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A former police chief in southern New Mexico is saying she was fired over her sexual orientation.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Diana Mejia had been leading the Anthony police force for 18 months when she was fired following a closed-door meeting of four elected officials.
Trustees Betty Gonzalez, Pilar Madrid, Diana Murillo-Trujillo and James Scott voted unanimously July 1 to dismiss Mejia despite numerous comments from the public in support of the police chief.
Mejia filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission saying her firing was motivated by sexual discrimination because she’s a lesbian.
Performance reviews have been positive for Mejia.
Mayor Arnulfo Castañeda says while he wasn’t consulted about the firing, he hasn’t had any major problems with Mejia’s performance.
