Any settlement agreement reached by the department and an employee to resolve a matter in dispute between them, that incorporates provisions covered by these rules, must conform to the provisions of these rules and have the prior approval of the chief. The chief may approve a settlement agreement, which does not conform to the provisions of these rules if, in the judgment of the chief, the settlement is in the best interest of the public defender department.
N.M. Admin. Code § 10.12.1.13