ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A new proposal will be heard at Albuquerque City Council next week, aimed at creating a new position within Albuquerque Community Safety and elevating the department’s status. The City of Albuquerque recognizes ACS as the third pillar of public safety, along with Albuquerque Fire Rescue and the Albuqeurque Police Department, but they currently lack the resources that the other two get. This proposal, sponsored by two city councilors, would appoint the Director of ACS as chief, putting them on the same level as AFR Chief and APD Chief.
“It definitely puts them on the same level as the chiefs,” Albuquerque District 2 City Councilor Joaquín Baca said.
Right now, there are state and federal public safety dollars that can’t currently be used for ACS. The chief designation would open those sources up. “Right now, it’s just coming out of city general funds,” Councilor Baca said. “A, it would elevate the position of director to chief, so its on-par, and B, this will open up other public safety dollars that exist that right now we can’t use or access.”…