Off duty, Patrolman Ramiro Martinez of the Artesia Police Department is an easy-going young man with an easy-going sense of humor.

Martinez is just as easy-going on duty, until the situation warrants a tougher demeanor. "It’s harder to issue a citation or arrest someone I know," states Martinez, "I still do it — but it’s harder."

A 1994 Artesia High School graduate, Martinez attended Southeast New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy at the New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs.

Being a "local boy" has certain advantages according to Martinez, including having a good rapport with the citizens of Artesia, especially the youth. "It’s a small town, so you know everybody."

Martinez notes, however, that among the troubled youth, there’s a "lot of wasted talent ... those kids are really intelligent. ..."

Martinez finds that the excitement of police work suits him well; "Basically, this is the type of job where no two days are the same.

"To me, this job is fun — it keeps you guessing. You never know what’s going to happen."

Law enforcement seems to be one of those professions that fall under the thought, "I wouldn’t want to do it, but I’m glad somebody else will."

Martinez decided to pursue this particular career because "it looked like fun" although the more serious side of him wanted to be in a position to help people.

Leading him to this calling, the most influential person in his youth was his father, firefighter Sammy Martinez of the Artesia Fire Department.

"He stirred up the interest and desire to do emergency service type work," explains Martinez. "I chose police work instead of firefighting, but there was no one great thing or happening that led me to become a police officer. ..."

On June 1, 1998, Martinez began working with APD as a part-time reserve officer, eventually becoming a full-time patrolman.

Of the police family, Martinez regards as his motto words that were impressed upon him early in his law enforcement career; "If you lose out there, the whole shift loses. If you win, we all win."

Police officers have often been likened to a brotherhood, with personal victories being team victories and personal tragedies hurting the whole team.

While "neither sleet nor snow" will stay the postman from his appointed rounds, he at least knows that he’ll have holidays and nights off.

Police officers are sworn to serve and protect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ... oftentimes, holidays mean more work for law enforcement personnel and responding to "thugs" that go bump in the night isn’t simply scheduled for Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Sometimes this scheduling makes things difficult — but Martinez understands the commitment to the job and manages his personal time to be of the best quality.

Working holidays, especially "things we’d rather not see on a holiday" takes its toll, but is part of the trade-off. The Martinez family is proud and supportive of him, "especially my nieces and nephews — they think it’s just the greatest thing!"

Martinez brings an energetic and optimistic attitude to the squad, whether doing the obligatory paperwork or, as last month, on assignment to the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, which was highly instrumental in the multi-agency drug sweep on Valentine’s Day.

Nearly everyone, at one time or another, has a professional encounter with the criminal justice system; but whether as a victim or as a perpetrator, all of their "customers" are treated with dignity and respect ... even when those "customers" do not reciprocate.

While no one likes to get a citation, everyone is appreciative to the responder that shows up to help in the event of a crisis.

Martinez recalls a routine traffic stop for seatbelt violation as "most memorable" thus far; "It was just a regular seatbelt stop, but we recovered a lot of drugs, guns — it was scary."

The hard part seems to be remembering that police officers really are the "good guys" and part of the job is keeping the rest of us in line with the legal statutes.

Working within the department, however, offers Martinez a viewpoint that is not usually visible to the public; critics often complain that "the police don’t do nothing," not realizing that besides the paperwork involved after the fact on every encounter, whether a traffic stop, an accident or an arrest, there are also interviews with witnesses, victims and perpetrators.

Coordinating communications for events, like the drug raid, also take police time that is not in the public eye. The behind-the-scenes work is often more detailed than what occurs on the streets.

"The streets make you nervous," concedes Martinez. "It’s really family-like in the department, though. Everybody works really well together — you feel comfortable with them."

Police work is rigorous and officers recognize the necessity to remain in good shape. Martinez’s routine includes mountain biking and running.

Academy training includes investigation techniques, firearms proficiency along with the physical training.

"It’s like I’m on duty all the time, though," Martinez concludes, staying alert and aware even when off-duty or in his personal vehicle.

According to Sgt. Michael Pitts, public information officer, the APD requirements include having earned a high school diploma or equivalent; being 21 years of age at time of hire; able to pass a rigid background check; no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude; no DWI conviction within the past seven years; no conviction for domestic battery; must posess and maintain a valid NM driver’s license; must pass a written exam and physical agility test as well as a pre-employment physical; psychological and vision exam; a rigid drug screen; and obtain certification within first year of permanent status employment.

But a fondness for doughnuts is not required; personally, Martinez prefers chocolate chip cookies.