{"id":52786,"date":"2023-04-12T13:05:41","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T20:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=52786"},"modified":"2023-04-12T13:05:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T20:05:41","slug":"feds-albuquerque-police-agree-to-wear-body-cameras-create-civilian-investigative-unit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=52786","title":{"rendered":"Feds: Albuquerque Police Agree to Wear Body Cameras, Create Civilian Investigative Unit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it has joined with the City of Albuquerque in filing a motion<\/a> seeking a consent decree regarding the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed modifications are based on the city and APD\u2019s notable progress in implementing the consent decree and continued self-assessment of certain decree provisions. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Independent Monitor, APD has achieved compliance with 80% of the consent decree.<\/span><\/p>\n

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U.S. Department of Justice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These proposed changes will help APD improve how it investigates low-level uses of force; improve its process for investigating allegations that officers committed misconduct \u2013 a crucial component for APD to enforce the requirements of the consent decree in its day-to-day operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, build on the successes of Albuquerque Community Safety, a city agency that sends trained civilians instead of police officers to 911 calls for mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness issues. <\/span><\/p>\n

This approach allows officers to focus on addressing violent crime, while also connecting people with the services they need.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Justice Department and the city agreed to critically consider areas where APD has not achieved full compliance in key areas \u2013 such as officers\u2019 use of force\u00a0\u2013 and develop strategies for improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cThe Justice Department\u2019s consent decree has provided the strong medicine necessary to remedy problems and improve the way policing is carried out across Albuquerque,\u201d said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department\u2019s Civil Rights Division. \u201cAfter almost a decade of meaningful reform called for by our consent decree, we are ushering in a new day for people across the city. We are recognizing the progress that the Albuquerque Police Department has made towards achieving compliance with this consent decree for both the court and the public.”<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico said: \u201cThis is apparent both in technical compliance and in actual overall reductions in serious uses of force, which showed a 30% reduction last year. This is a credit to the hard work of the City of Albuquerque, the men and women of the Albuquerque Police Department and the relentless involvement of our community partners.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past eight years, APD has made significant strides toward achieving compliance with the requirements of the consent decree. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n