Author
Mayor Tim Keller launched a search for Albuquerque’s next police chief Wednesday with an online survey and scheduled community forums, seeking public input before evaluating candidates to lead the more than 950-officer department.
The city hired Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. to conduct the nationwide search. The firm has managed police chief searches in 12 major cities, including Chicago, Seattle and Minneapolis.
“Before we start looking at individual candidates, we want to get input on the qualities, experience and priorities of Albuquerque residents for their next chief of police,” Keller said in a statement. “Everyone should have an opportunity to have their voice heard.”
The search follows the Dec. 31 retirement of Harold Medina after five years as chief. Deputy Chief Cecily Barker, appointed interim chief on New Year’s Eve, became the department’s first woman to hold the position.
The city will host three virtual forums next week to gather feedback from different stakeholder groups:
- Advocates: Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 6-7 p.m.
- Community Leaders: Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6-7 p.m.
- Criminal Justice System Stakeholders: Friday, Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon
Details on how to join the Zoom sessions will be released later. An online survey is available now for community members to provide input.
The city said feedback will inform recruitment and evaluation as officials seek a chief committed to constitutional policing, accountability, transparency and community trust.
The police chief position manages a $186 million budget, oversees 911 response and shapes the department’s relationship with the community. The position is posted nationally, and interested candidates may apply at apply@publicsectorsearch.com.
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When my car was almost stolen 2016 at 4:00am on a Sunday morning. I lived at Brentwood Gardens in Albuquerque this is Section 8 Housing. There were three people witnesses who saw this. I called my Insurance Company and the Albuquerque
Police Dept. They had torn out my steering column and hot wired my car. Three hours later when the plain clothes officer came. He gave one look and said “you live in a high crime area”. That was like solving the crime. He didn’t look at the car or do anything. He was just about to leave I told him there were three witnesses who saw it and saw.the guy run out of.my car. He then talked down to me and said New Mexico is a very high crime property state. He did nothing. I asked this detective for his card and his name and asked when I could get my police report he said in a few days and ran off. The police led me on a wild goose chase I was never able to get my police report. Two weeks later one of the neighbors witnesses told me they were never going to touch that car again. I went to the police station and tried to tell them this since a few cars were stolen and cars broken into. The police said go away I said it again and they said go away again. In a tone that was threatening. My car was in the body shop for three weeks and they had to rewire my whole car. The insurance company believed me they raised my rates. In short the wonderful APD. made like I was crazy and it never happened
The APD.police needs a whole new regime and overhaul. To say it nicely they are Corrupt Incompetent and inexperienced.
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