The Dona Ana County Sheriff says security at the 3rd District Court is not being compromised.

Sheriff Todd Garrison is responding to allegations made by former deputy, Thomas Simmons.

Simmons claims he was underpaid and not well trained.

He was fired recently after he failed to notice a prosecutor was carrying a gun in his briefcase and allowed him into the court.

Garrison says although the court is well-protected changes may be on the way.

"We need to hire a few more officers, and we're working on that right now, hopefully we can have that taken care of in a very good future, but we still have enough to take care of any problem that comes up," said Sheriff Garrison.

Garrison tells KFOX besides better salaries, the department is also working to get more equipment.