{ "id": 725446, "name": "Jason BAPTISTE, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. CITY OF LAS CRUCES and Elizabeth Carver, Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Baptiste v. City of Las Cruces", "decision_date": "1993-02-10", "docket_number": "No. 13206", "first_page": "178", "last_page": "181", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "115 N.M. 178" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "848 P.2d 1105" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M. Ct. App.", "id": 9025, "name": "Court of Appeals of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "81 N.M. 361", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5364604 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "364" }, { "page": "30" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/81/0361-01" ] }, { "cite": "288 Pa.Super. 290", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa. Super.", "case_ids": [ 165925 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "continuous barking of dogs housed in kennel in rural community is not \"of such a nature as to 'break the public peace' \"" }, { "page": "1056-58", "parenthetical": "continuous barking of dogs housed in kennel in rural community is not \"of such a nature as to 'break the public peace' \"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/288/0290-01" ] }, { "cite": "146 La. 325", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "La.", "case_ids": [ 8841097 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1919, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"Public peace is public tranquility and quiet order and freedom from agitation or disturbance which is guaranteed by the law.\"" }, { "page": "639", "parenthetical": "\"Public peace is public tranquility and quiet order and freedom from agitation or disturbance which is guaranteed by the law.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/la/146/0325-01" ] }, { "cite": "42 N.W.2d 113", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "year": 1950, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "116" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "327 Mich. 349", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mich.", "case_ids": [ 1907123 ], "year": 1950, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mich/327/0349-01" ] }, { "cite": "101 A. 581", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.", "weight": 2, "year": 1917, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "583" }, { "page": "583", "parenthetical": "\"[P]ublic peace is that sense of security and tranquility, so necessary to one's comfort, which every person feels under the protection of the law.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "91 Vt. 507", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Vt.", "case_ids": [ 4514686 ], "year": 1917, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/vt/91/0507-01" ] }, { "cite": "102 S.E.2d 575", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1958, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "577" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "214 Ga. 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 269882 ], "year": 1958, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ga/214/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "113 N.M. 714", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 723234 ], "weight": 4, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "720" }, { "page": "411" }, { "page": "720" }, { "page": "411" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/113/0714-01" ] }, { "cite": "100 N.M. 108", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1588649 ], "weight": 9, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "110" }, { "page": "1257" }, { "page": "111" }, { "page": "1258" }, { "page": "110" }, { "page": "1257" }, { "page": "110" }, { "page": "1257" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/100/0108-01" ] }, { "cite": "97 N.M. 51", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1555126 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "54" }, { "page": "325" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/97/0051-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 631, "char_count": 10327, "ocr_confidence": 0.758, "pagerank": { "raw": 9.048980345764588e-08, "percentile": 0.5044981386945725 }, "sha256": "2c358683808eafcd31c2856864e2f2ae6103291ad941a258ffe2c189e3b79855", "simhash": "1:17ea74fb26b3f4f8", "word_count": 1666 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T14:46:31.960097+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "CHAVEZ and FLORES, JJ., concur." ], "parties": [ "Jason BAPTISTE, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. CITY OF LAS CRUCES and Elizabeth Carver, Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nHARTZ, Judge.\nPursuant to the New Mexico Tort Claims Act, NMSA 1978, \u00a7\u00a7 41-4-1 to -4-29 (Repl.Pamp.1989), Plaintiff sued the City of Las Cruces and its animal control officer (ACO), Elizabeth Carver, for false imprisonment and false arrest allegedly resulting from the issuance of a citation by Carver. The Defendants sought dismissal of the charge on several grounds, including failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. See SCRA 1986, 1-012(B)(6). To establish this last ground, Defendants relied on a three-step analysis: (1) they are immune from suit under the Act unless immunity is waived by a provision of the Act, NMSA 1978, \u00a7 41-4-4(A); (2) the Act waives immunity for liability for false imprisonment and false arrest only if caused by law enforcement officers acting within the scope of their duties, NMSA 1978, \u00a7 41-4-12; and (3) a Las Cruces ACO is not a \u201claw enforcement officer\u201d as defined in the Act, NMSA 1978, \u00a7 41-4-3(D) (Cum. Supp.1992).\nAt the hearing on the motion to dismiss, the parties stipulated to the admission of Exhibit 1, a document setting forth the duties and qualifications of an ACO. This consideration of evidence outside the pleadings converted the motion to dismiss into a motion for summary judgment pursuant to SCRA 1986, 1-056. See Transamerica Ins. Co. v. Sydow, 97 N.M. 51, 54, 636 P.2d 322, 325 (Ct.App.1981). Defendants were entitled to judgment only if there was no genuine issue as to a material fact. See SCRA 1-056(C). Finding that Carver was not a law enforcement officer, the district court dismissed the complaint with prejudice. Plaintiff appeals. We reverse because on the present record there is a genuine issue of fact regarding whether a Las Cruces ACO is a law enforcement officer under the Act.\nSection 41-4-3(D) states:\n[L]aw enforcement officer means any full-time salaried public employee of a governmental entity whose principal duties under law are to hold in custody any person accused of a criminal offense, to maintain public order or to make arrests for crimes, or members of the national guard when called to active duty by the governor[.]\nWe read this language in light of the traditional duties of law enforcement officers, see Anchondo v. Corrections Dep\u2019t, 100 N.M. 108, 110, 666 P.2d 1255, 1257 (1983); Vigil v. Martinez, 113 N.M. 714, 720, 832 P.2d 405, 411 (Ct.App.1992), and with regard to the legislative intent \u201cto include within the definition of law enforcement officer * * * only those persons whose principal duties include those of a direct law enforcement nature.\u201d Anchondo, 100 N.M. at 111, 666 P.2d at 1258. \u201cPrincipal duties\u201d are \u201cthose duties to which employees devote the majority of their time.\u201d Id. at 110, 666 P.2d at 1257; accord Vigil v. Martinez, 113 N.M. at 720, 832 P.2d at 411.\nWe look to the duties of a Las Cruces ACO to determine whether an ACO comes within the statutory definition of \u201claw enforcement officer.\u201d Exhibit 1 contains the following pertinent information:\nPOSITION TITLE: Animal Control Officer\nPOSITION SUMMARY: Answers complaints regarding animals and insures compliance with City ordinances.\nSPECIFIC CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Valid New Mexico Class V Operator\u2019s License; free of felony convictions; Radio Operator\u2019s License.\nEDUCATION \u2014 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or equivalent.\nEXPERIENCE \u2014 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Two and one-half (2%) years experience in working with domestic animals on farm, in zoo, in veterinarian clinic, etc.\nABILITIES AND SKILLS \u2014 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to write clear and accurate reports.\nJOB DESCRIPTION: Answers complaints regarding animals. Picks up dead or injured animals or strays, including cats, dogs and other animals. Visits homes to inspect license, vaccination certificates and sick dogs or cats. Institutes quarantines in dog bite cases. Investigates complaints concerning treatment of animals or noncompliance with animal ordinances. Prepares cases and appears in court in legal action. Issues citations in cases or violations of ordinances. Maintains records and prepares periodic and special reports. May be required to destroy animals in the field. Performs other duties as assigned. WORKING CONDITIONS \u2014 Works outside in all kinds of weather. May be exposed to the possibility of bruises, cuts and animal bites. Requires moderately light physical effort.\nFor an ACO to come within the statutory definition of \u201claw enforcement officer,\u201d the ACO\u2019s principal duties under law must be \u201c[ (a) ] to hold in custody any person accused of a criminal offense, [(b)] to maintain public order or [(c)] to make arrests for crimes[.]\u201d Section 41-4-3(D). It suffices if an ACO\u2019s principal duties are either (a) or (b) or (c). We will not distort the plain language of the statute to adopt Defendants\u2019 contention that the statutory definition requires an ACO\u2019s principal duties to be either both (a) and (b) or both (a) and (c). Plaintiff makes no claim that an ACO\u2019s principal duties include holding persons in custody or making arrests. Thus, the sole question is whether an ACO\u2019s principal duties under law are \u201cto maintain public order.\u201d\nThe Tort Claims Act does not define the phrase \u201cmaintain public order.\u201d We note, however, that the statutory definition of law enforcement officer distinguishes between the duty \u201cto maintain public order\u201d and the duty \u201cto make arrests for crimes.\u201d Section 41-4-3(D). This distinction clarifies that the task of maintaining public order can be accomplished without the power to arrest.\nSome additional guidance is provided in decisions from other jurisdictions. The Georgia Supreme Court said, \u201c \u2018Public order\u2019 means the tranquility and security which every person feels under the protection of the law, a breach of which is an invasion of the protection which the law affords.\u201d Board of Comm\u2019rs of Peace Officers Annuity & Benefit Fund v. Clay, 214 Ga. 70, 102 S.E.2d 575, 577 (1958). Another court has written, \u201cA breach of the peace is described as \u2018a violation of public order; the offense of disturbing the public peace.\u2019 \u201d State v. Mancini, 91 Vt. 507, 101 A. 581, 583 (1917). This statement suggests that the terms \u201cpublic order\u201d and \u201cpublic peace\u201d capture the same concept and a violation of either is a breach of the peace. We thus consider the following dictionary definition of \u201cpublic peace\u201d: \u201cThe peace or tranquility of the community in general; the good order and repose of the people composing a state or municipality. That invisible sense of security which every man feels so necessary to his comfort, and for which all governments are instituted.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1130 (6th ed. 1990); accord People v. Bissonette, 327 Mich. 349, 42 N.W.2d 113, 116 (1950); see Mancini, 101 A. at 583 (\u201c[P]ublic peace is that sense of security and tranquility, so necessary to one\u2019s comfort, which every person feels under the protection of the law.\u201d); State v. Brooks, 146 La. 325, 83 So. 637, 639 (1919) (\u201cPublic peace is public tranquility and quiet order and freedom from agitation or disturbance which is guaranteed by the law.\u201d).\nAlthough the guidance provided by these authorities is sparse and imprecise, it suggests that the \u201cpublic order\u201d is disturbed when dogs are barking, biting, knocking over garbage cans, etc. Cf Commonwealth v. Koch, 288 Pa.Super. 290, 431 A.2d 1052,1056-58 (1981) (continuous barking of dogs housed in kennel in rural community is not \u201cof such a nature as to \u2018break the public peace\u2019 \u201d). On the other hand, an ACO ordinarily is not maintaining public order when picking up dead or injured animals, inspecting licenses and vaccination certificates, or enforcing laws against mistreatment of animals.\nThus, Exhibit 1 by itself cannot tell us whether a Las Cruces ACO comes within the definition of \u201claw enforcement officer\u201d in the Tort Claims Act. Two questions remain. First, how much time does the ACO devote to the various duties? An ACO is a \u201claw enforcement officer\u201d only if the majority of the ACO\u2019s time is devoted to the duties of maintaining public order. See Anchondo, 100 N.M. at 110, 666 P.2d at 1257. Second, insofar as a duty of an ACO involves maintaining public order, is the duty one traditionally performed by law enforcement officers? If the duty is not a traditional duty of law enforcement officers, it does not come within the meaning of \u201cmaintaining public order\u201d in the statutory definition of \u201claw enforcement officer.\u201d See id. For example, responding to complaints of barking or biting dogs is not \u201cmaintaining public order\u201d under the statute unless law enforcement officers traditionally have engaged in that activity. Although we assume that they have, we have found no definitive literature and the record in this case is silent on the matter.\nIn sum, on the record before us, we cannot determine whether duties with respect to the maintenance of public order constitute the principal duties of a Las Cruces ACO. Because the sole evidence on the issue (the stipulated exhibit) is inadequate to establish that a Las Cruces ACO is not a law enforcement officer within the meaning of the Tort Claims Act, we must reverse the district court\u2019s dismissal and remand for further proceedings. Our reversal does not foreclose the district court from granting summary judgment on the law-enforcement-officer issue after the parties submit additional evidence to that court.\nIT IS SO ORDERED.\nCHAVEZ and FLORES, JJ., concur.\n. In their brief on appeal Defendants also rely on a Las Cruces municipal ordinance. But Defendants have not indicated where the ordinance appears in the record on appeal or, alternatively, how we can take judicial notice of the ordinance. Ordinarily such judicial notice would be improper. See Coe v. City of Albuquerque, 81 N.M. 361, 364, 467 P.2d 27, 30 (1970). We therefore disregard the ordinance.\n. Defendants find great significance in omission of the comma after \"public order.\" But the New Mexico legislature typically omits the comma after the next-to-last item in a series.", "type": "majority", "author": "HARTZ, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Mario A. Esparza, Las Cruces, for plaintiff-appellant.", "Robert Kelley, Wendell Mark Sims, Las Cruces, for defendants-appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "848 P.2d 1105\nJason BAPTISTE, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. CITY OF LAS CRUCES and Elizabeth Carver, Defendants-Appellees.\nNo. 13206.\nCourt of Appeals of New Mexico.\nFeb. 10, 1993.\nMario A. Esparza, Las Cruces, for plaintiff-appellant.\nRobert Kelley, Wendell Mark Sims, Las Cruces, for defendants-appellees." }, "file_name": "0178-01", "first_page_order": 218, "last_page_order": 221 }