The Troubling Tenure of Lieutenant Christopher Jones

El Paso Police Lieutenant Christopher Jones will soon find himself the subject of a complaint to the El Paso Police Department’s Internal Affairs division.

“He [Jones] seems to think this other officer, a sergeant that he filed a hostile work environment case against, is you,” says an Officer stationed at the Northeast Regional Command Center.

“Jones is on one,” says another Officer who works with Jones. “He honestly believes that Sergeant Camp is you.”

Jones is a problem with the El Paso Police Department, and it’s time for Jones to be removed from the Department either through forced retirement or termination.

Lieutenant Christopher Jones, badge #2199, has served with the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) for over two decades, earning a salary of $120,298 in 2024, according to GovSalaries. Yet, his tenure is marred by a series of disturbing incidents — ranging from racist and homophobic remarks to unprofessional behavior and apparent dereliction of duty — that raise serious questions about his fitness to lead and the EPPD’s commitment to accountability. Despite a departmental manual that prohibits discriminatory conduct and a public stance against such behavior, Jones remains employed, prompting criticism from officers, activists, and El Paso residents who argue his actions undermine the department’s mission to serve a diverse community.

A History of Offensive Remarks

In 2020, Jones responded to a call at a home on Zion Street in El Paso, where he made a disparaging remark about a woman of Middle Eastern descent, referencing her ethnicity and animals. The comment, recorded by the resident, led to minimal consequences — Jones received counseling, but no further discipline. Tariq Siraj Uirajudeen, a local advocate, criticized the EPPD’s response, noting that Internal Affairs’ leniency contradicts Chief Peter Pacillas’s claim that the department does not tolerate such language. To prevent further incidents at the Zion Street address, EPPD mandated a sergeant’s presence for future calls, a measure critics argue sidesteps addressing Jones’s behavior directly.

Muhammad Adeen, a Muslim civil rights activist, contends that Jones’s rank shields him from accountability. “Were these comments made in another profession, like customer service or healthcare, the employee would be terminated,” Adeen said. “By virtue of his position, Jones is protected and allowed to continue.” Adeen’s concerns are not isolated. Officers and activists point to a pattern of offensive behavior, including Jones’s mockery of a woman in a mental health crisis at the Northeast Regional Command Center (NERC), whom he labeled a “Satanist” rather than offering assistance, and his refusal to participate in department-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training due to an officer, Marquez, identifying as a woman at work.

Jones’s comments about Officer Marquez, described by colleagues as homophobic and derogatory, have created a hostile environment. “When anyone brings up Marquez or anyone who is gay, Jones loses it,” said an NERC officer, who expressed shame at working alongside him. Another officer noted Jones’s refusal to acknowledge Marquez’s gender identity, alleging he made unrepeatable slurs. Despite federal protections under Title VII, as established by the 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court decision, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Marquez has not filed a formal complaint with the EPPD or external agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Officers speculate fear of retaliation may play a role.

Unprofessional Conduct and Dereliction of Duty

Beyond discriminatory remarks, Jones’s behavior has drawn scrutiny for its immaturity and unprofessionalism. Officers describe him mimicking accents, such as saying “Don’t touch my no-no” in an Indian accent while walking through NERC halls, and engaging in juvenile pranks, like making fart noises behind colleagues. In one instance, Jones allegedly pretended to have Down syndrome while ordering at a McDonald’s drive-thru from a patrol car, an act a senior officer described as “a child with a gun.” Another officer recounted Jones belittling a mentally ill individual and using a racial slur against a Traffic/Motors Unit officer, further eroding trust among peers.

Jones’s work ethic has also come under fire. Officers report he frequently fails to report for duty, with absences noted on May 23 and 25, 2025. When a reporter visited NERC on a scheduled workday, Jones was unavailable, his phone going to voicemail. “He’s clocked out physically and mentally,” an officer said, alleging Jones believes he can “do what he wants” after having an officer he suspected of leaking information reassigned. This perception of untouchability is compounded by Jones’s history of altering NERC day shift hours, citing an obscure study about productivity in sunlight, a decision criticized in prior reports for leaving El Paso vulnerable.

A Questionable Obsession with Firearms

Jones’s office at NERC, described by officers as a “war room” or “junk yard,” reflects a troubling fixation on firearms and tactical gear. Stacked with rifles, shotguns, and magazines, alongside a $500 tactical helmet with custom accessories, the space resembles a teenager’s fantasy rather than a professional workspace. Officers report Jones brags about his arsenal, despite never having served in the military, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. His cavalier attitude toward firearm safety was highlighted by an incident where he allegedly shot himself with birdshot in the desert, raising concerns about his competence. “If you can’t secure a firearm properly and end up with an ass full of birdshot, you need remedial safety courses,” an officer quipped.

Jones’s office also houses a drone, which he reportedly flew down NERC hallways, disrupting work and crashing on one occasion. Officers confirmed he lacks an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, and expressed frustration that no consequences followed. The cluttered space, filled with Walking Dead merchandise, a Snoopy plush toy hanging by fishing wire, and South Park videos playing on loop, paints a picture of a lieutenant more preoccupied with personal quirks than leadership. “He’s an overgrown teenager,” a senior officer said.

A Failure of Leadership and Accountability

Jones’s behavior stands in stark contrast to the EPPD’s stated values and the expectations of El Paso’s diverse community. Activists like Donna Greenberg, who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, question whether Jones’s biases would compromise his response to crimes involving marginalized groups. “If he’s called to a crime involving the LGBTQ+ community, can he see past his hate? I doubt it,” Greenberg said, calling for his termination. Officers echo this sentiment, with one describing Jones as “a constant liar, a manchild who always wants to one-up you.” Another labeled him “physically off, mentally delusional,” noting his tendency to appropriate others’ stories, including claiming field experiences that belong to colleagues.

The EPPD’s failure to decisively address Jones’s misconduct fuels distrust. While officers who show compassion — such as paying for a shoplifter’s baby food or a stranger’s gas — are reportedly disciplined for policy violations, Jones faces minimal repercussions. “He’s been with EPPD about twenty years,” an officer said. “He should call it a day and retire.” Yet, Chief Pacillas and City Manager Dionne Mack have not acted, leaving officers and residents frustrated. “Having such a man in command reflects poorly on the EPPD and does a disservice to El Paso,” an officer concluded.

A Call for Change

El Paso deserves a police department that upholds integrity and serves all residents equitably. Jones’s pattern of discriminatory remarks, unprofessional conduct, and absenteeism undermines this mission. His continued employment raises questions about the EPPD’s commitment to accountability and the mechanisms protecting officers who fail to lead by example. As one resident, Heather Cookson, put it, “I can’t respect them because of how they treated my father-in-law when he needed help.” Another, Jorge Mendoza, added, “You got some who care, but too many want to make trouble.”

The EPPD can do better, but change requires confronting uncomfortable truths. Jones’s tenure, marked by what officers describe as a “morbid” and “delusional” persona, is a liability. Whether through retirement or termination, his departure is overdue. Until then, El Paso’s trust in its police department hangs in the balance, overshadowed by a lieutenant whose actions betray the badge he wears.

Note: Allegations against Jones are based on officer accounts and public reports. Freedom of Information Act requests for his service records are pending, but EPPD has indicated such records may not be released.