We're very prideful about our uniform and our agency and the job we do, you know. And so, like I told your mom, none of none of the things said on the videos align with any of state police's policies or values or anything like that. >> So, here we go again. Another day, another police department, another taxpayer funded Oops. This time it's New Mexico State Police cutting a $90,000 settlement to a man whose charges were dismissed. Then he sued them. And before anyone starts screaming that doesn't mean wrongdoing, relax. Because if everything was done by the book, there would be no check. According to local reporting, this man was charged by New Mexico State Police. Those charges didn't stick. They were dismissed. Gone. Erased. Now, normally that would be the end of it, but this is thin blue lies, baby. The man sued the state police, alleging his rights were violated. And suddenly the state decided writing a check was the best option. Not fighting it in court, not putting officers on the stand, not letting a jury decide. Just how about $90,000 and we all pretend this never happened. A New Mexico comedian who was criminally charged for posting social media videos while wearing a state police uniform is getting the last laugh. The state expected to pay him tens of thousands of dollars to settle his free speech lawsuit. Here's News3's Jessica Von. >> That tal comedian Alden Hamdy posted a handful of parody videos on Tik Tok while wearing a state police uniform. After a criminal case against him was dropped last year, Hamdi sued state police. >> Charges being dismissed does not mean justice was served. It just means prosecutors didn't want to touch the case anymore. Dismissed charges don't erase arrests. They don't erase mugsh shot. They don't erase lost jobs, court costs, or public humiliation. And yet, police departments act like everything is fine. If everything was fine, why was there a lawsuit? Why was there a settlement? Why avoid court altogether? >> Five reasons to be A STATE POLICE OFFICER in New Mexico. wearing a state police uniform that he found while working at a dry cleaner. These videos posted on Tik Tok got Talis comedian Alden Hamdy in trouble with a law almost 2 years ago. >> Number three, so you could sneak in the burner phones to your homies at the MDC. Number four, so you can turn your lapel camera on and off whenever you want. State police body camera videos show Hamdy told investigators he didn't think what he was doing was wrong. >> Now, here's where it gets interesting. The officer lectures the man that state police are very prideful of their uniform, their agency, and the job they do. Let that sink in because nothing says professional pride quite like dismissed charges followed by a $90,000 settlement. And then it gets better. The officer also told the adult man's mother that his actions did not align with state police policies or values, which is where this stops sounding like law enforcement and starts sounding like a tattling child. We spoke to his mother >> and I saw it and I just kind of tried it on. I was goofing off and I Googled like, you know, I thought cuz there was no bad I couldn't get it. >> Meanwhile, state police officers told Hamdy his actions were disrespectful. We're very prideful about our uniform and our agency and the job we do, you know, and so like I told your mom, none of none of the things said on the videos align with any of state police's policies or values or anything like that. >> They also claimed what he did was illegal, charging Hamdy with unauthorized wearing of a uniform or badge. But that charge didn't stick and a judge dismissed Hamd's criminal case in June. Hamdy filed a civil rights lawsuit against New Mexico State Police last summer, claiming he was subject to a retaliatory investigation because officers didn't agree with the videos. Now, that lawsuit has reached a settlement with the state signing off on paying Hamdy $90,000 to end the claim. >> Let's be clear, settlements exist for one reason, risk. risk of losing, risk of exposure, risk of body cam footage being played in open court. So, the state did what states always do. They paid quietly with your money. That $90,000 doesn't undo the arrest. It doesn't undo the stress. It doesn't undo the public damage. And it sure doesn't change police behavior because the officer didn't feel it. No personal liability, no suspension announced, no policy reform required, just another settlement added to the pile. >> While the settlement was recently posted online by the state, that civil case is still considered open because a judge has yet to sign off on the agreement. Back to you. >> All right, Jessica. Thank you. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety told us today they won't comment on the civil case because it has yet to be dismissed by a judge. We did hear back from Alden. We did not hear back rather from Olden Ham's attorney today. >> This is how the system protects itself. Pride in public, silence in private, settlements behind closed doors. And as long as the consequences never reach the people who caused the harm, nothing changes. So, let me ask you, if an officer's actions don't align with the law, why isn't their officer accountability? And if departments are so proud of their work, why are taxpayers constantly paying for it? Drop your thoughts below. Fin blue lies, baby.