ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department is nearing a decade of reform efforts under a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice. The DOJ released findings of its investigation into APD in 2014, the same year the department came under intense scrutiny for police use of force and officer-involved shootings.
This week on the New Mexico News Podcast, Chris and Gabby discuss the years-long reform efforts with APD’s Chief, Harold Medina. Today, APD says it is close to meeting its goals for a reformed police department by DOJ’s standards.
What does the reform process look like behind the scenes? How has the department and culture overall changed in the last decade? Medina reflects on his years since joining the academy in the 90s, to leaving APD after a long career, and eventually returning to lead the department.
Chief Medina also shares why he believes it’s important to see DOJ reform efforts through to the end before another chief takes over. To note, this episode of the New Mexico News Podcast was produced and recorded ahead of the department’s recent announcement of several officers being placed on leave amid a new federal investigation aside from the department’s reform efforts.