Silver City -- Five Silver City police officers have been promoted, following a lengthy testing and interview process. Patrol Sergeant Arthur Rascon, 48, was promoted to administrative lieutenant, Officer Andrew Little, 29, was promoted to K-9 corporal, officers Cameron Graves, 28, and Stephen Laramore, 27, were both promoted to patrol sergeant, and former Corporal Fernando Cardoza, 30, was promoted to detective.
Patrol Sergeant Arthur Rascon, 48, was promoted to administrative lieutenantLieutenant Rascon was born in Deming, but has lived in Silver City since 1998. His new position of administrative lieutenant was created by SCPD Chief Freddie Portillo, who reconfigured administrative duties to create this new position, which includes grant writing for the department, coordinating officer training, statewide promotion of the department for recruitment purposes, and community liaison activities, including D.A.R.E., a drug and violence prevention curriculum taught by police officers, which Officer Rascon already participates in. Other duties include managing all department vehicles and equipment, and providing staff support.
"Lieutenant Rascon has a lot of responsibilities," said Chief Portillo. "A lot of departments, especially in smaller communities, have a ranking officer in this position. Officer Rascon has nearly 20 years with the department, and is the perfect person for this job. Having him as a dedicated grant writer for the department is an enormous benefit. He will also serve as a back-up patrol lieutenant should the need arise. I'm grateful to have him in this position."
Cameron Graves, 28, promoted to patrol sergeantA native of Deming, Sgt. Graves was a patrolman for five years prior to his promotion to patrol sergeant. When asked what he hopes to accomplish in his new position, he said he wants to "strengthen the leadership of the department, and build trust among officers and the community by leading with integrity and fairness." He added that he enjoys mentoring officers to help them "improve their skills and confidence."
Stephen Laramore, 27, promoted to patrol sergeantBorn and raised in Silver City, Sgt. Laramore is a former detective who wants to support his fellow officers as they develop their careers, and build "strong relationships with both my co-workers and residents of Silver City to effectively implement strategies to enhance public safety." He joined the SCPD in 2019, his first job after graduating from WNMU's Law Enforcement Academy, and said he chose to become a police officer "because I have a passion for upholding the law and ensuring safety for our community, and I enjoy a unique working environment and the teamwork aspects of everyday policing."
Officer Andrew Little, 29, was promoted to K-9 corporalCpl. Little is passionate about doing all that he can to keep drugs out of the community, especially given the use of fentanyl, which is responsible for the majority of drug overdoses in New Mexico. Growing up with a single mother, Officer Little said he was inspired to become a police officer because he always saw them as "heroes," ready to help people in need, just like his mother. "She was a hardworking, single parent, and I became a police officer to make her proud, and to honor her willingness to always help others," he said. "She never hesitated to do what she could for others."
Corporal Fernando Cardoza, 30, was promoted to detectiveDetective Cardoza was born and raised in Deming, and like his fellow officers, said that he became a police officer out of a deep desire to serve and protect the community, as well as to use his skills and knowledge to investigate and solve more complex crimes. "I want to help my community by apprehending people that do not abide by the law," he said, explaining that he became interested in law enforcement "because I would see other police officers in my community risking their lives to keep us safe, and it encouraged me to do the same."
"I'm very proud of these exceptional officers," said Chief Portillo. "They've gone through a highly competitive process, which includes written examinations by an independent, public safety testing agency, then an extensive oral board review and background checks. They are absolutely dedicated to public service, and are doing their best to excel in their careers, to support one another and the department, and are dedicated to serving our community to the best of their ability."
For more information about SCPD, please contact Chief Freddie Portillo at (575) 538-3723, ext. 1243, or
