{"id":7057,"date":"2014-11-01T00:24:12","date_gmt":"2014-11-01T07:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7057"},"modified":"2014-11-01T08:38:49","modified_gmt":"2014-11-01T15:38:49","slug":"justice-department-albuquerque-police-agree-sweeping-reforms-use-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7057","title":{"rendered":"Justice Department: Albuquerque Police Agree to Sweeping Reforms on Use of Force"},"content":{"rendered":"

ALBUQUERQUE<\/strong> – \u00a0The U.S. Justice Department reached a court-enforced \u00a0agreement with the City of Albuquerque to put into effect sweeping reforms on the use of force by its police department, officials said Friday.<\/p>\n

\"Albuquerque<\/a>The agreement will bring an array of reforms to the Albuquerque Police Department and its use of force against people, \u00a0according to authorities.<\/p>\n

Officials said the agreement – that was hammered out after a year of investigation into the department’s practices – overhauls the way police handle use of force by its officers as spelled in the letter by the Justice Department in April 2014, officials said.<\/p>\n

The City Council will consider the settlement in a special session scheduled next week.<\/p>\n

“The overwhelming majority of our nation\u2019s law enforcement officials perform their duties with exceptional courage, integrity, and professionalism\u2014risking their lives every day to keep their communities safe,\u201d said Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.<\/p>\n

Adding, \u201cBut whenever a pattern of troubling conduct is uncovered, or that high standard is not met, the Department of Justice must and will take action. The far-reaching agreement we have secured in this case will transform the culture and practices of the Albuquerque Police Department. \u00a0And I am confident that, with the cooperation of city leaders and brave law enforcement officials, we will take significant steps to restore trust with local citizens and build for Albuquerque\u2019s residents the stronger, safer, and more secure communities that all Americans deserve.\u201c<\/p>\n

Since 2010, Albuquerque police officers have shot 37 people, 27 of them fatally. The shootings are what prompted the Justice Department to open its investigation, according to the Los Angeles Times.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Times reported that Mike Gomez, who won a lawsuit against the city after his unarmed son Alan was killed by police in 2010, said he was \u201chopeful with the consent decree\u201d because it requires officers to wear lapel cameras and calls for more civilian oversight.<\/p>\n

In addition to use of force practices, the federal investigation found that officers routinely use deadly force and less lethal force in an unreasonable manner. The Justice Department blamed this on deficiencies in policies, training, supervision, and oversight on police practices.<\/p>\n

Extensive community outreach was done by the Justice Department following the release of its findings, officials said.<\/p>\n

Under the settlement agreement, the city and the Albuquerque Police Department will implement comprehensive reforms in nine substantive areas. \u00a0An independent monitoring team will be selected jointly and will oversee the reforms, which are expected to be implemented within four years.<\/p>\n