FARMINGTON - Farmington Police Officer Mike Briseno has been called everything from "a dirty cop" to Police Officer of the Year, depending on who is asked about the controversial member of the department's gang squad.

Briseno, who has been a Farmington police officer for 17 years, has repeatedly declined comment.

A request by The Daily Times to interview Briseno for this story was denied by Police Chief Mike Burridge, who said the decision was his. The chief said he did not want Briseno to comment due to pending litigation.

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