ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – While Albuquerque continues to battle its crime problem, the city is increasingly leaning on police service aides to do more in the field.
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Albuquerque police service aides, or PSAs, can now write citations for low-level criminal charges or petty misdemeanors. Meanwhile, the city’s civilian-led watchdog agency wants to ensure it has investigative power if civilian complaints arise.
Dressed in light blue polos and driving around in marked vehicles, police service aides are a common sight, directing traffic and helping Albuquerque Police officers on scene. “They don’t have arrest powers, and typically they did not have the ability to enforce laws alone and by themselves,” said Commander Ryan Nelson, Albuquerque Police Department…