By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — After 22 years of climbing the ranks from patrol officer to the Albuquerque Police Department’s top-ranking officer, Cecily Barker stands one vote away from making history as Albuquerque’s first female police chief.
Mayor Tim Keller announced Barker as his official nominee for chief of police on Tuesday, choosing the APD veteran over outside candidates following a monthlong nationwide search. Barker has served as interim chief since January, following Harold Medina’s retirement. Her permanent appointment is subject to City Council confirmation, a process that includes a public hearing and a formal vote.
While serving as interim chief, she slashed the command staff by eliminating 12 high-level command positions…