Farmington Schools Hires first Armed Campus Safety Monitor

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 7:48 PM

Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe administering the oath to new Armed Campus Safety Officer James Roberts

The FMS Board of Education authorized school security personnel to carry firearms on school premises during their January 9, 2024, meeting. The move paved the way for the hiring of Armed Campus Safety Monitors (ACSMs), former certified law enforcement officers tasked with providing an additional layer of protection for students and staff during emergencies.

From Farmington Schools:

Monday, April 1, 2024

On Monday, April 1, 2024, Mr. James Roberts was officially sworn in by Chief Steve Hebbe of the Farmington Police Department as the first FMS armed campus safety monitor.

Mr. Roberts comes with a lot of experience in keeping people safe, with more than 20 years in law enforcement, working with both the Bloomfield Police Department and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. His expertise includes certifications as a Drugs Recognition Examiner, SWAT, and Field Training Officer before he retired as a Sergeant in the Patrol Division. Mr. Roberts has also spent three years as a Campus Safety Monitor for the Farmington Municipal Schools, so he knows our schools well.

“I’m excited to start a new chapter and I’m looking forward to this opportunity. It will be great to work in collaboration with the Farmington Police Department to ensure the safety of students and staff at Farmington Municipal Schools,” said Mr. James Roberts.

“One of the district’s most important goals is to make sure we are providing a safe environment for students and staff, and this new program will do precisely that. The efforts of our Safety Department and our collaborative work with local law enforcement agencies create a more connected community and a safer one for all,” said Superintendent Cody Diehl.

ACSMs, after passing rigorous evaluations and specialized training, will have the authority to enforce misdemeanor crimes, temporarily detain individuals for violent offenses, and conduct searches on people and property on our campuses. This decision followed more than nine months of discussions with partners at the Farmington Police Department and consultations with other school districts, and risk management group Poms and Associates.

Mr. Roberts will be getting extra training over the summer from the Farmington Police Department to prepare for his new role. He'll be working at Piedra Vista High School starting in August, making sure it's a safer place for everyone.

More from Local News

Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.
Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly. At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Candidates File for Municipal Elections

Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.