FORT SUMNER — Seeking to stave off a court fight between the sheriff and county commission, representatives of a state law enforcement association outlined a mediation plan at Tuesday’s De Baca County Commission meeting. “We are not an advocate for the sheriff or for the commission,” said Jim Burleson, executive director of the New Mexico Sheriffs’ and Police Association. “We don’t want to get into local politics, who we vote for, who we don’t vote for, will there be a recall,” Burleson said. “We want to talk to all the local officials we can.” The dispute between Sheriff Gary Graves and the commission dates back to last year. Most recently, Graves locked the doors and barred after-hours access by personnel from other departments saying he needed to maintain the security of his department’s records. The sheriff then sued to force the county to provide what Graves believes are mandatory office facilities. The county counter-sued to force the sheriff to grant access to the office, including the fire alarm control panel. Graves was only briefly present at the meeting and protested budget cuts made to his office. Later in the meeting, commission chairman Powhatan Carter III said he welcomed the effort by law enforcement officials to mediate the dispute. “I’d like to see the sheriff’s group and see how they work out situations in other counties,” Carter told the commission. Burleson said the efforts of his organization would focus on making sure the rights of the sheriff’s office as mandated by law are preserved, but said that doesn’t necessarily mean defending Graves. Burleson indicated the final product of their study would be a written report outlining the group’s findings. “These findings we conclude with, we want to deliver to both parties before they are publicized,” Burleson said. “With any kind of luck, no litigation is going to be required.” Some county residents present at the meeting questioned the propriety of the involvement of Curry County Sheriff Roger Hatcher. Hatcher, who was at the meeting, is president of a different sheriff’s association that helped Graves file his lawsuit. The county commission chairman said his presence could be helpful. “I’m interested in open facts and I think Sheriff Hatcher probably has a deeper insight than the other men,” Carter said. Contacted after the meeting, Hatcher said speaking to all sides Tuesday afternoon was helpful. “I think probably what will get worked out after we do our report, is the commission knowing what their responsibilities are, the sheriff knowing what his responsibilities are, and the two communicating with each other in an equitable manner,” Hatcher said. Graves said by phone after the meeting that he was also optimistic. “I think we both need to listen, I think we both need to learn, and I think we both need to be willing to work forward in our difficulties,” Graves said. “I’m more than willing if they’re willing.”