Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina told the Albuquerque Journal in Dec. 2024 that he would retire at the end of Mayor Tim Keller’s current term, but he quickly walked that back by saying he might instead of he would. Fast-forward to Nov. 2025 and Keller confirmed
Who will be Albuquerque’s next police chief? Mayor Tim Keller and current Chief Harold Medina have both said that Medina would retire at the end of Keller’s current term, sparking social media fights over Medina’s legacy and speculation over whom Keller might nominate to be the city’s next top cop.
Keller promises a new chief for a third term
Speaking to KKOB afternoon radio host T.J. Trout on Nov. 25, Keller confirmed that Medina was making retirement plans. “Chief and I, we do have a relationship of trust,” Keller said. “We decided a long time ago, like beginning of this year, that if there was a third term I definitely shoudl get a new police chief for a number of reasons, and he agrees with that. He’s been planning out his retirement since then.”
Asked by City Desk this week about Medina’s next steps, APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said the department will “discuss Chief Medina’s future plans soon,” but declined to comment on succession…