In the wake of the Albuquerque Police Department’s announcement that it is in full compliance with a decade-long reform effort, the general consensus among stakeholders is that significant gains have been made, but there are still instances of excessive force. And, they say, the city has to be careful to maintain the progress it has […]
Category: Courts, Justice & Safety
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Sandoval County
Sandoval County K-9s Sniff Out Missing Persons
Thanks to a unique combination of skills honed through specialized training programs, Sandoval County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) K-9 units are helping out on missions throughout the state. On April 29, SCFR reported that their K-9s were called to assist the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Roswell Fire Department and the New Mexico State […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
Violence Intervention Program manager charged with battery
A program manager with the city’s Violence Intervention Program has been charged with misdemeanor battery. According to court documents filed on May 8 in Metropolitan Court, a woman accused Angel Garcia of kissing and groping her without her consent while they were at a Cheba Hut on April 13. She told police that he pulled […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
Ultimate sacrifice: APD hosts law enforcement memorial on Civic Plaza
The Albuquerque Police Department hosted a memorial on Civic Plaza on Thursday to honor law enforcement officers who “made the ultimate sacrifice.” Leaders of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies — including those from surrounding counties — attended the annual memorial, which included a mention of the three officers who were killed throughout the […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
Attorney: Officer with ‘history of abuse and deceit’ fatally shot man in mental health crisis
Loved ones of a man who was suffering from mental health issues when he was shot and killed by police late last year intend to file a lawsuit, alleging the officer who shot him had a “history of abuse and deceit” and the city had not done enough to hold him accountable. Pete “Jacob” Martinez, […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, Uncategorized
Timeline: The investigation into corruption in APD’s DWI unit
Since news broke that several members of the Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI unit were being investigated for allegations that they worked with a local attorney to make DWI cases go away, City Desk ABQ has been tracking each development in the case. The federal investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed, but the […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Syndicated
AP Investigation: In hundreds of deadly police encounters, officers broke multiple safety guidelines
By JOHN SEEWER, REESE DUNKLIN and TAYLOR STEVENS / Associated Press In hundreds of deaths where police used force meant to stop someone without killing them, officers violated well-known guidelines for safely restraining and subduing people — not simply once or twice, but multiple times. Most violations involved pinning people facedown in ways that could […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, Syndicated
After nine years of court oversight, Albuquerque Police now in full compliance with reforms
ASSOCIATED PRESS The Albuquerque Police Department is now in full compliance with reforms ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice and that paves the way for the end of nine years of court oversight, authorities said Monday. The assessment came from an independent monitoring team hired by the city in 2015. The DOJ released findings […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
RRPD: Sushi Shoplifter Accused of Attempting to Steal Ambulance
A Colorado man is accused of attempting to steal an ambulance while EMS workers gave aid to a patient inside. According to a criminal complaint, around 6:36 p.m. April 28, Rio Rancho Police were dispatched to the Smith’s at 1000 N.M. 528 about the attempted theft of an ambulance. Officers arrived and detained 37-year-old Keith […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
‘There was no real security.’ Witness describes scene at convention center graduation shooting
A mother is recovering after being shot by her stepson during a graduation ceremony for Southwest Secondary Learning Center, at the Albuquerque Convention Center, on Wednesday, according to court documents. Cristian Joshua Bencomo, 21, was taken into custody directly following the incident and is charged with aggravated battery of a household member, use of a […]