No Confidence Clarification

Last night's meeting of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association has a little different twist than we first reported (Ok, Ok... we were only half right). According to our Eyes, the full vote of the general membership has not taken place. Apparently there has been a change in the APOA bylaws that mandates a 30 day "cooling off" period between the motion for a vote of no confidence and the actual vote. The Eyes have it that the change was made after a single meeting vote of no confidence was passed by the general membership involving former Deputy Chief Ed Sauer.

As a result, our earlier report regarding a no confidence vote for Chief Ray Schultz was only partially right (which means partially wrong for all of you half empty types). Last night's meeting put the wheels in motion for a no confidence vote as there is a motion to hold a vote and that motion was seconded, which should result in a vote sometime next month.

Our Eyes are also telling us that the driving force behind the vote is a group of young officers who are unhappy with their pay, the favoritism shown re-hire officers (retired officers who are receiving retirement and pay), as well as what they consider to be Chief Schultz's excessive disciplinary actions. Specifically, the termination of officer Ben Kirby whose termination came after walking developer Jason Daskalos out of the DWI detention van.

We'll have to see whether these young officers have the muscle and determination to accomplish what they have set in motion. A 30 day period will provide time for the chief to "campaign" against the no confidence vote, and for outsiders like city councilors and the chamber of commerce to weigh in on the issue. It is said that both the council and the chamber are big supporters of Chief Schultz, not to mention Mayor Marty's sure to be out there drumming up support.

Frankly, for a no confidence vote to succeed, those opposed to Chief Schultz will have to get organized and be ready to confront a whole host of Schultz supporters and perhaps even some dirty politics. Remember, the 5th floor is more about politics than law enforcement, and the 30 day "cooling off" period moves the game onto their home court.

Police State; Is the Media controlled by the Der Führer?

Look around and analyze a little bit of history and the results. When well-padded, Bill Richardson was the Governor, he started this trend. He started hiring big media names such as, Tia Bland, Juan Reyes, and the all popular, Conroy Chino into PIO (public information officer) jobs all over the State of New Mexico. He paid them all huge salaries as PIO’s. APS hired Monica Armenta. Metropolitan Court hired Janet Blaire, and the newest hires come from Mayor Berry’s Administration. Berry hired our local Albuquerque Journal reporter and former exposé of APD’s problematic past (and Taco Bell patron), TJ Wilham and Channel 7’s Chris Ramirez (Huffman). What is the real purpose behind these types of hiring’s? Is it to control all media outlets by shutting down the radio, TV and printed media by proxy?

Former Governor big Bill Richardson was bullet-proof. No one could touch him and the media would not say one bad thing about him or his administration; even if it was true. Now the truth is starting to come.

APD issued an order (see below) instructing officers that they do not have first amendment rights, when on or off duty, when speaking about the Department. Our Eyes behind the badge claim that White and Schultz have issued a “gag-order” directed towards the officers’ wives or significant others. We all know that the officers have no control over their significant others speech. The spouses or significant others have rights. Neither the Chief of Police, Ray Schultz or Chief Public Safety Officer, Darren White, have any right or authority to abridge their speech. If our local Führer’ can’t control their own partners; what would lead them to think that the officers could control their spouses? Is this really becoming a “Police State?”

Chief Ray Schultz was displeased with the decision of our Honorable District Judges. Chief Schultz proceeded to go on a “rant” on Tweeter and television. Chief Schultz is an Officer of the Court and his actions were clearly insubordinate. Did White, Chief Schultz’ boss, say or do anything? White was too busy trying to beat Schultz to the camera, he never knew that Schultz was bringing the Albuquerque Police Department into “disrepute.” Chief Schultz completely violated his own newly written policy. It was a clear violation of the APD Standard Operating Procedures Manual. Is Chief Public Safety Officer, Darren White, going to discipline his subordinate, Chief Ray Schultz based on the SOP violation?

These PIO positions are a waste. Why not let the Chief of Police speak on behalf of the Police Department? Allow the Director of Senior Affairs; speak on behalf of Senior Affairs? The Mayor or CAO should speak on behalf of the City of Albuquerque?

Are our City leaders starting down the road of suppression, the public’s right to know? Going after officers spouses to silence them? Ladies with all due respect; under the Constitution Amendment 19, Women’s Suffrage, allowed women to vote; now it appears that our City leaders are trying to remove your rights a little at a time. Under the Constitution of the United States of America, women are guaranteed the right to vote. Is this leadership trying to ruin what has taken several life times to fight for?



Our Eyes behind the badge told us that Chief Schultz per, Darren White, ordered that officers would not be allowed to vote in the substations. This was in regards to a Vote of No Confidence against White, by APOA members. The vote of No Confidence passed with a whopping 84% margin. Officers’ voting at the substations was a custom and practice that APD has allowed for over twenty years. The officers being treated as second class citizens voted in parking lots or on the sidewalk areas. Did this really help out White’s plight; really?

There are several different Constitutional Amendments that should be look at closely by this Administration.

• First Amendment; which provides freedom of Religion, speech, assembly and petition.

• Ninth Amendment; which protects the rights retained by the people.

• Fourteenth Amendment; which covers due process and equal protection of the laws.

• Fifteenth Amendment; right to vote.

• Nineteenth Amendment; which provides women with the right to vote.

What’s next, burning books, going after a certain class of people, etc…? Who is the Der Führer and is that person controlling all the media? Are they really after these precious rights? Is this just another one of the “shenanigans” that has become a common place with the City? When will the blunders stop? Is Albuquerque becoming a “Police State” or a communist community? Where is the rest of the City leadership or City Council?

These “boys” better wake up; we have the new Honorable Governor Martinez who is a female and a police officer’s wife. It is unlikely she will not stand for any type of abuse of officers’ spouses, from this Administration or from anybody else.

You will have to decide the answers to all these questions and act according to your conscience.

Mayor Berry; it’s time you pull your head out of the sand!

APD Woes: What's Behind No Confidence Movement

As we told you recently, a group of young officers have forced the Albuquerque Police Officers Association to consider a vote of no confidence in Chief of Police Ray Schultz. As required by the APOA bylaws, the vote must take place after a 30 day "cooling off" period. So, that means the vote will be sometime this month.

Our Eyes have been taking a look into some of the complaints behind the move for a no confidence vote and found some expected things, some surprising things, and some truly alarming things. As expected, right at the top of the list is officer pay.

For years, Mayor Marty has been touting 1,000 officers over at APD. Just recently the Journal reported that "APD has 998 officers, including 18 part-timers." (Subscription Required) That was in the same article that reported APD's request for $1 MILLION for officer recruitment and retention. In the last Mayoral election manpower levels at APD became an issue with the administration claiming to have around 1,000 officers and Mayoral opponent and City Councilor Brad Winter claiming significantly less, particularly when looking at officers available to take calls. (ABQ Journal - Subscription Required)

(Sidebar)
Is this really the message that APD wants to send to potential recruits? "Join APD and catch a bride!" What genius thought this up?
(End Sidebar)

Our Eyes tell us that right now, today the number of sworn officers that APD could put into the field in an emergency is just north of 800. That's everyone folks, including the chief himself. The Eyes have it that the 998 number mentioned by the Journal is everyone at APD including clerical staff. If you look at these numbers in light of the $1 MILLION supplemental request it's not hard to believe that the administration is playing fast and loose with manpower numbers.

(Sidebar)
It's interesting to us to look back and see that APD seems to always magically have close to 1,000 officers, even when they have been faced with a record number of retirements and academy classes that have as few as 7 cadets.
(End Sidebar)

You're probably wondering what in the world does this have to do with the price of tea in China. One of the main complaints voiced by officers behind the no-confidence movement is pay inequity. The pay inequity that the officers are talking about is being created by the pressure to not only field 1,000 officers but to expand the force to Mayor Marty's 1,100 officers. It's the same pressure that caused APD to ask for $1 MILLION to throw at recruitment and retention.

Since APD is having trouble recruiting NEW officers they have put in place a series of incentives for retired officers to return to APD. These officers not only receive their retirement, but they receive a little more than $4,300 a year more than the same officer with the same rank and longevity (APD Benefits & Salary). Don't get us wrong, we don't think that rehiring experienced officers is not necessarily a bad idea; but when you have a system in place that incentivizes return, then you have also created a system that incentives departure.

A patrolman 1st class with 20 plus years of experience makes $50,180 per year. If they wait and retire at 22 years and 10 months of service they will receive 80% of that pay equaling $40,144 per year. When they return they will earn $41,745.60 as a patrolman 1st class, jumping to $43,825.60 after 1 year. In other words, they will be making $83,969.60 per year. By retiring, they get a $33,789.60 raise. They'd be crazy not to retire, particularly since they've topped out in pay.

The rehire program is simply a stop-gap measure that only slows attrition. When you rehire a retired officer, you have a net gain of zero, better than a net loss but we're really incentivizing the wrong thing. Not to mention our Eyes tell us that senior officers have not received a pay raise in 10 years.

We've got an idea... Perhaps it's time that the city council and Mayor Marty get together and decide to pay all of the officer's better and incentivize continued service with additional benefits, instead of building arenas and giving HUGE tax breaks to developments like Mesa Del Sol and developer Forrest City Covington. After all, how can we have confidence in our businesses and our daily lives when we can't keep crime fighters on the street?

The bottom line here is that Mayor Marty and the council are responsible for police protection or lack thereof. It's their first responsibility. The very fact that this no confidence vote has been placed in motion should give us all pause; and it's a reflection not only on Chief Schultz but on the Chavez administration as well.

APOA Members Offer to Lay Down the Thunder

The members have spoken. Tonight The APOA (Albuquerque Police Officers Association) held an emergency meeting for its members. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current situation with the take home car policy. The officers are upset and angry their cars have been pulled. This left many to wonder, why all of a sudden? Why doesn’t the City see the benefits a take home car provides? Why can’t the City Council see that it actually costs more for the City not have take home cars? Does the City realize the barrage of lawsuits and challenges this change in policy has opened? This also made many wonder whom exactly was spearheading this change in policy? The loss of the take home cars are taxing on the officers and introduces safety issues for the officers. Our Eyes tell us that the person who is likely responsible for pulling the cars is; you guessed it again, Darren White. In fact, our Eyes tell us that while Chief Ray Schultz was ready to provide City Councilors with the logistics and benefits of the take home car policy (at the last council meeting); White gave “Schultzie” a direct order not to talk about it; not to present his documented information he had sitting on his lap. If this is true the Eye gives it’s commendations to Chief Schultz. It was at that time that Chief Schultz walked out of the meeting. Who exactly is responsible for the officers and equipment of the Police Department? Could it be true that White actually controls everything by proxy (Where is Mayor Berry)?

As it appears, the men and women of the Department have finally stood up to this dictatorial tyrant. A motion was made at this meeting for a “Vote of No Confidence” against Darren White. This would be huge; but nothing new to White. New Mexico State Police did a “Vote of No Confidence” against White on September 27, 1999. It was reported that 89 percent of the New Mexico State Police had “NO Confidence” in White. It appeared at this emergency meeting that almost 100 percent of those in attendance have “No Confidence” in their proxy leader, Darren White. It appears that the resounding lack of confidence was emanated by all ranks: rookies, veterans, detectives, and supervisors. In accordance with the APOA By-Laws, the motion was tabled for 30 days. At the end of the 30 days, all APOA members will be allowed to vote on the motion. Will this be “the straw that broke the camel’s back”?

If the Mayor wants the City functioning properly, take out the proxy block and let the Chief of Police; be the Chief. This will allow the officers to do their jobs. Otherwise, why pay for a public safety director and a chief; when the chief doesn’t possess the legitimate power or autonomy to run the Department. To the City Council; here is your opportunity to voice the “Publics Will.” This is the part of the reason your constituents voted you in to office. Stand up and right the wrong.

*For your entertainment at the top of this story is a picture of a bumper sticker that was being passed around at the APOA Meeting. COmpliments of one of our Eyes.

Chief Ray Schultz: Disapprove

A few weeks back the much talked about (at least on this blog) no confidence vote involving Chief Ray Schultz was withdrawn by the APOA members that originally called for the vote. Our Eyes tell us that Chief Schultz and Mayor Chavez really didn't want risk the chief getting a vote of no confidence, so they quickly met with the officers involved and addressed their concerns. We believe that problems go deeper than the few issues raised by the no confidence movement, so we decided to do a little vote of our own.

In last week's unscientific Eye Poll of 261 voters, Chief Schultz got an approval rating of just 33%. Eye On Albuquerque readers overwhelmingly disapproved (60%)of the job Ray Schultz is doing as Chief of APD, while 5% didn't know and 2% didn't care.

We want to remind our readers that the chief serves at the pleasure of the Almighty Mayor and that any disapproval numbers should reflect directly on the policies of the Chavez administration as well as the leadership of APD.

This week's Eye Poll takes on the issue of making it harder to recall city councilors. We talked about it here. In October, voters will get the chance to make their opinion law. This week, Eye Poll voters will get to voice their opinion on what should happen in October. Don't forget to vote!

Time for True Heroes to Shine

Thursday will separate the honest cops from politically pressured stool pigeons. The members of the Albuquerque Police Officer’s Association will be voting on rather or not they have confidence in who has been referred to as the City’s “Top Cop.” No not the Chief of Police, Ray Schultz, but Public Safety Director, Darren White. We all know that the men and women of the Albuquerque Police Department strive to have solid morals and values. The Department’s mission statement states;

Albuquerque Police Department Mission Statement


We, the members of the Albuquerque Police Department, believe in the shared responsibility of police personnel, government leaders and citizens to improve Albuquerque's quality of life and to defend our community. We vow to uphold the U.S. Constitution, to fairly enforce the laws of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque in order to protect life, property and rights. In partnership with the community, we will engage in policing to maintain order, reduce crime and the fear of crime through education, prevention and enforcement.

Source:
www.cabq.gov/police/images/psp_brochure.doc

The issue here is; “government leaders.” The Eye On Albuquerque has carried several stories concerning White and his leadership and management style (or lack there of). Schultz has a past history of leading and managing the Department in the right direction. Schultz has some faults but some of his faults draw a line directly to White’s misguided leadership and management style.

In one of the Eye On Albuquerque stories, “APOA Members Offer to Lay Down the Thunder,” the story stated in reference to the vote of no confidence in White; “This would be huge; but nothing new to White. New Mexico State Police did a “Vote of No Confidence” against White on September 27, 1999. It was reported that 89 percent of the New Mexico State Police had “NO Confidence” in White.” The Eye has also received several messages from people claiming to be with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department expressing displeasure in White. If anybody looks at White’s track record, it is probable that the results will be similar. White left the State of New Mexico post he held shortly after this powerful statement by the New Mexico State Police Officers.

It appears his leadership and management style is not suited for law enforcement. Oddly enough, Mayor Berry continues to go along with the charade. If this vote by the APOA Members is different than that of State Police, it may only signal that White has the political magic wand to control some of Albuquerque’s Finest.

Whichever way this vote goes, we must respect the men and women who had the strength and integrity to bring this issue to the forefront of the public and our Mayor.

See APOA Members Offer to Lay Down the Thunder @ http://eyeonalbuquerque.blogspot.com/2011/01/apoa-members-offer-to-lay-down-thunder.html

Union to Chief Schultz - No Confidence

Our Eyes have been busy this week... this time it's Chief of Police Ray Schultz. In this evening's meeting of the general membership of the Albuquerque police union (APOA), Chief Schultz received a vote of no confidence. This really comes as no surprise to those of us who have been watching developments over at APD. There's a general feeling among the rank and file that the department is being run by Mayor Chavez rather than Chief Schultz and tonight's vote may reflect on the Mayor as much as the Chief.

You'll recall that just this morning the Journal ran a story about APD asking for $1 Million to be used for officer recruitment and retention (ABQ Journal - Subscription Required). We noticed something curious in that story... "Last year, APD set a record when 67 officers retired." Whether it's as the Chief claims that this situation is something that has "come to a head in the last couple of years," or whether it's another indication of dissatisfaction with the leadership of the department (or lack thereof) is yet to be seen. Or perhaps it's the confusion over whether the mayor is the chief or the chief is the mayor. However, it's been our experience that when people don't have to stay they vote with their feet. Tonight those that can't or won't leave voted no confidence.

Schultz is a Schmuck; as We Say Back Home

Below is an "open letter" that was sent to us from an APD officer that we have not heard from before at the Eye. Keep in mind; this is from a person who is behind the badge. The letter contains some thoughts that we feel should be shared.

I am writing you this letter because the front page of the Sunday's Journal (08/28/11) is sitting like a brick at the pit of my stomach. I would love to write this in the editorial section, but I live under a boss who rules through fear and intimidation, and I am not allowed to voice my opinions. Morale at the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has never been as low as it is now. Reading the article in the paper today, literally made my stomach turn. Chief Schultz is not the "problem fixer," he IS the problem. I am not a disgruntled employee nor am I biased because of any discipline I have received at the hands of Chief Schultz. In fact, I have never been disciplined and have been a police officer for over a decade with APD. Mayor Berry was given the police endorsement, mostly because of the empty promises he made to the officers of this department. He PROMISED he was going to "clean house" and hire a new Chief; a flat out blatant lie. Chief Gallegos was not solely responsible for the Evidence Lab fiasco. In fact, at the time of Gallegos' reign, Chief Schultz was the Deputy Chief in CHARGE of the Crime Lab! The public wonders why there are officers that are committing unethical, sometimes illegal acts. Look at our Chief, we are only doing what we are taught.

A couple of years ago, there was a Sgt. that was found to be intimately involved with one of his subordinates. The subordinate, a detective under his immediate command, killed herself, leaving a husband (another APD officer) and two small children. This Sgt. was transferred to another area command and shortly, thereafter, was promoted to Lieutenant. There was NO discipline whatsoever. In fact, immediately after his departure from the NE Impact Team, a letter was placed in the blotter written by then Captain Henz. It stated that this was not a disciplinary action, but a transfer that the Sgt. had wanted for quite some time. The Chief did nothing to protect the officers, or the family of the deceased officer.

There is a Lt. that while in charge of records, received at least three separate EEOC complaints against him. the complaints were filed by women that had no connection to each other, nor had they concocted their stories, as the complaints were filed at different times. The complaints were similar and all accused the Lt. of discrimination based on sex. One of those cases has since been settled, FOR the officer and AGAINST the Lt. This same Lt. caught two officers (one of whom was married and was ordered not to be at the academy) having sex in the parking lot of the Police Academy. He chose not to discipline, nor did he document the conduct unbecoming that he observed. The Chief did not punish this Lt., instead he was recently promoted to Commander.

Chief Schultz allowed former Public Safety Director, Darren White, to lie to city council AND to the citizens of Albuquerque. Several months ago, TJ Wilham was terminated from city employment and escorted out of City Hall. Then, 24 hours later, TJ was "relocated" to the communications center and given a job that was created solely for him. Darren White denied there was a termination, however, there was. CAO Campbell was the one that signed the termination letter and made sure Mr. Wilham was escorted from the building. Covering up for someone is just as bad as the deception itself.

Chief Schultz constantly prides himself in making sure the city knows that its officers are held to a higher standard. However, he praises and commends those that act in behavior that is anything but professional. He chose to promote and assign a PIO that has made it a habit of involving herself with married men, sometimes ON DUTY. He has allowed this Sgt. to remain a Sgt. despite the fact, that she is not supervising ANYONE! This was behavior that was discovered by Attorney Brad Hall (attorney for Terra Chavez- slain wife of an APD Officer). Mr. Hall filed a request and was granted the investigation details of ongoing infidelities that was occurring within the department. The Chief quickly settled the lawsuit, and thus never having to provide any details of this unprofessionalism.

Chief Schultz chose to place a PROBATIONARY employee in Animal Control, while the death of the officer's wife was investigated. There were issues with this officer NOT related to the death of his wife, and he chose not to terminate this employee. This probationary employee was employed for over 3 years and even got off of probation while on administrative leave.

Chief Schultz indicated in the Journal article today that he was released from the infamous Costales lawsuit. Chief Schultz was found GUILTY of intimidating Officer Costales and disciplining Officer Costales based on retaliation. That part of the suit was settled and thus his name was removed.

Several years ago, during a Union Meeting, an Officer made a Motion to conduct a vote of no confidence in Chief Schultz. Immediately after that Motion, the Chief began to intimidate and harass the officer. For example, the Chief began showing up on ALL of this officer's calls, making him feel extremely intimidated. This officer eventually withdrew his Motion because of the fear of retaliation.

During a City Council meeting a year ago, a well known and long serving APD Sergeant voiced his concerns about the department as well as Chief Schultz. This Sergeant walked to his car after the meeting and received a phone call that an Internal Affairs investigation had been opened on the Sergeant. This was a clear showing of fear and intimidation. To this date, the Sergeant was never given the outcome of that investigation.

A former Deputy Chief was investigated by the FBI in reference to a case. During that interview, the Deputy Chief stated that the Officer being investigated was a victim of Chief Schultz's intimidation and retaliation way of supervising. The officer had testified in Federal Court that ultimately led to charges against another officer being acquitted of all charges that the State had brought up against him. Chief Schultz was so angry and humiliated that he "punished" that officer by holding the transfer that he so passionately wanted and earned.

Chief Schultz loves to sugar coat every wrongdoing that is discovered under his regime. He does not take responsibility for his actions, yet disciplines those officers who fail to do so or go against him. Morale is at an ALL time low because of Chief Schultz. He has given officers lie after lie and has used his position to intimidate officers who challenge him. Chief Schultz refuses to allow officers to work a 4-10 shift because he states there is no "officer coverage" available for calls for service. There are LESS officers working in the field than there have been in years. There are some squads that have only 5 officers for the entire shift for the entire area command.

More training was an issue of concern that was brought up to the Chief in an effort to better the department. Chief Schultz agrees on paper, yet does the opposite. Chief Schultz has on more than one occasion transfered BRAND new Sergeants to investigative positions that require significant training. There are BRAND new sergeants transferring to specialty units (DWI, K9, I.A.) before experiencing any field time after promotion whatsoever.

The citizens of Albuquerque deserve to be told the truth and educated about this administration. Chief Schultz is experiencing more problems with the department than ever. The time has come for him to resign or be terminated. Do not let him fool you, he IS the reason the department is in complete shambles.

Whose Fault is it for the rash of recent DWI Deaths and Crashes?

No one wants to get that 3:00 A.M. “knock on the door.” You know, the knock that is followed by a policemen and chaplain standing at your door. No one wants to hear the dreaded words, “I’m sorry to inform you that there was a bad accident and your loved one did not make it,” all to find out later that it was due to another ‘Drunk Driver.’

In a time when drinking and driving is a prevalent problem and part of the culture, in a time where most fatalities are involving alcohol, in a time where more and more innocent people are killed and the guilty rarely get the punishment they deserve; why is Darren White and Ray Schultz willing to put “public safety” aside for the sake of saving a “few bucks?” Because of their statistics that haven’t been proven to the citizens? If you ask anyone who has lost a loved one, the Eye is sure they would give White and Schultz 100 times return for their “blood money” just to have their loved one back.

Many officers and citizens of Albuquerque assumed that the implementation of the DWI Specialized Unit was largely due to Schultz and White. It was after all while Schultz and White were with the DWI Unit, they worked hard to take DWI’s from officers, sergeants, and anyone who needed to get back to their field duties and not have their time consumed with a DWI investigation. But then again, that is the philosophy behind the DWI Unit, isn’t it? Part of their mission statement is “to support field services.” Schultz has forgotten that he set the precedence and established the court ruling in the State of New Mexico on the “police officer team concept.” Chief Schultz was a rookie K-9 officer headed to a call and was forced to stop a drunk driver. Schultz needed to get to the call; he gave the DWI to another officer to process.

So, why would our Public Safety Director and our Chief of Police take away the responsibilities from the DWI Unit? Officers are not allowed to turn over a DWI investigation to a DWI Unit. Why is this important? As a citizen calling for police help, don’t you want an officer to show up as quickly as possible? Do you have or want to wait that extra 30 minutes, an hour, even more for an officer to respond? If a citizen calls for police it is because they need help now, not in two hours.

With all of this in mind, why would Chief Ray Schultz and CPSD Darren White jeopardize public safety and prohibit DWI officers to do the job they were assigned and paid to do? Why can’t an officer who pulls over a DWI offender be allowed to hand over the investigation to a member of the specialized DWI Unit? The safety of the public is jeopardized when an officer is called out of the field for several hours. This is the mission statement that the Department boasts? How did Schultz and White come up with the numbers they did when they claimed they single handedly saved the city millions? The Spin Doctors, as many refer to them, have a knack of spewing out $@!*, we mean numbers without being able to back them up. This is nothing new to the Berry Administration. Because officers are tied up with other calls or other drunk drivers; many other drunk drivers go about their business freely. DWI officers are seasoned and have been trained in depth to handle drunk drivers on a frequent basis. If the officers could still stop them and allow the DWI officers to do their jobs, this would make our streets safer. It’s a crazy idea but maybe an idea that would save a life?

If you have been keeping up with the news, Albuquerque has seen one DWI crash after another. Many of these crashes end with fatalities. The City had not seen a rash like this in some time. The common factor is the flawed policies of the Berry Administration. Trying to save a buck at the expense of the citizen’s safety is unacceptable. White and Schultz apparently don’t care who gets hurt, as long as they save a buck.

A DWI case takes months to process through the court system; there is no way to immediately see any cost saving measures. What we are seeing is more and more serious or fatal crashes involving DWI offenders. Just ask Chief Breen about his future brides’ crash. If only one life is saved; it is worth every penny! If money is their only benefit, most will take public safety over a few bucks any day. Comparing a few bucks to the life of any citizen, the citizen’s life is worth a few bucks. After all, Judas sold Jesus for a few pieces of silver; we all saw where that got him.

Chief Public Safety Officer Darren White is still being sued in court over his alleged failure to enforce the laws in the county while he was sheriff, and now this? Great pick Governor Martinez. It may be a good idea for everyone to start calling the Governor again. Governor Martinez needs to understand that respect is not just given, it is earned. Governor Martinez lost respect when she appointed White to the Judicial Standards Commission. Schultz lost his in Federal Court after being convicted of violating an officer’s civil rights. The Eye does not believe that White was ever respected according to all the votes of “NO CONFIDENCE” he has on his mantle.

Now that both Chief Schultz and CPSD White have blood money on their hands, maybe it is time to right the wrong. Correct the policy and get all these drunks off of our streets! Do not allow another person to die at the hand of a drunk driver. Do not continue with a “bloody” policy in spite of those who brought it to our attention; do correct the policy because it is the right thing to do.



PLEASE STOP THIS!
NO MORE!

Self Destruction: How We got to Where We Are. Part I

Self-Destruction

The Disintegration and Decay of The Albuquerque Police Department since 2000

--Cincinnatus--

Where, when, why and who is to blame for the meltdown that we now call the Albuquerque Police Department?

In this short article I hope to explore what I believe started the decay and why it continues today.  I would hope this critique creates a debate within the city of Albuquerque, its’ citizens and police force as to what has happened in the past and what the future holds for Albuquerque.  This article will be short and concise.  If the reader wishes to dig deeper into certain events I (or the Eye) will direct them to the specific reporting from local & national media and direct sources of information.

1998

Jerry Galvin is named Albuquerque Police Chief by Mayor Jim Baca.  During his tenure, Albuquerque has a staffing of 849 sworn police officers.  A college requirement of 60 college credit hours was implemented which caused APD to have a severe reduction in force because APD could not recruit enough qualified candidates. 

2001

Mayor Martin Chavez wins the mayoral election and promptly dismisses Jerry Galvin and names retired national FOP President (and retired Albuquerque Police officer) Gilbert Gallegos his new chief of police.  The college requirement is removed but APD continues to struggle to hire and retain enough officers. 

Rumblings over major corruption and scandal in the Albuquerque Police Department Evidence Room begin to surface.

2003

APD Deputy Chief Ray Schultz retires in December and in January 2004 takes a position with Scottsdale, Arizona police.  It appears he gets out just in time as the Evidence Room Scandal is being exposed by APD officers who are trying to do right.  Schultz is an APD Deputy Chief in direct oversight of the evidence room and crime lab when in August 2003 APD Detective Cindy Orr attempts to notify the APD command staff of the Evidence Room corruption only to be targeted by that same command staff. 

What did Schultz know and what did he do?  No one ever asks, but he was deputy chief.

http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/326229metro03-19-05.htm

2004

APOA officers led by President Jeff Remington stage a sit in protest on Albuquerque Civic Plaza for several days.  After threats by Mayor Chavez the protest is ended but it leads to better wages and working conditions for APD officers.  APD begins to increase sworn officer staffing after this protest.

Also in 2004 the first signs of a major breakdown in the leadership and command staff of APD are exposed as the Evidence Room Scandal unfolds in the media.  During this time the media reports of APD Command Staff retiring from the city with large, six figure cash-outs.  The first real documented signs of upper level corruption because the Command Staff remains silent to Evidence Room Corruption, so they can retire with their large bonuses.  Scandal involving APD Command Staff and Mayor Marty Chavez is also exposed, but nothing happens.  With no one in command (past or present) at APD being held accountable for what is at best gross misconduct, and at worst major federal crimes, APD begins a headlong spiral into the abyss.

http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/158084metro03-29-04.htm

2005

The Evidence Room Scandal explodes on the APD Command Staff.  APD Captain Sisi Miranda motions the APOA for a vote of no confidence in DCOP Ed Sauer for his current running of the Evidence Room.  This action takes an issue that the Command Staff at APD had ignored since 2001 (and before) into the spotlight.  The exposure of corruption that this APOA vote exposes causes Mayor Chavez to fire Gil Gallegos.  For a brief period of time it is hoped that those in command at APD who knew but did nothing and those who took an active role in covering up the Evidence Room Scandal would be held accountable for their actions. Yet no other member of the APD Command Staff, past or present, is held accountable.  

Gallegos is offered up as a sacrificial lamb, which is correct he is the chief, yet not one member of his current or past command staff (remember who retired in December 2003) is held accountable.  Chavez brings in former BCSO Sheriff Jim Bowdich to run APD in the interim while they figure out who to put in place as APD’s new chief.

April 2005 Ray Schultz is wooed back from Scottsdale and hired as Chief of Police by Mayor Chavez.  This compounds the problems in the command staff at APD as it shows the elected mayor did not know that he should have held all members of the command staff since 2000 accountable for the Evidence Room Scandal.  It sends a message that the command staff can be inept leaders and still receive six figure salaries and cash-outs.  At the time of Schultz’s return, the Deputy Chiefs of Police included: Paul Chavez, Ed Sauer, and Fowler Johnson. The first non-APD officer also becomes the president of the APOA: Lawrence Torres when APD officer Jeff Remington resigns. Torres is later given a high paying job by mayor Chavez where he is now representing the city against the very union he “led.”

Later in 2005 the New Mexico Attorney General and Bernalillo County District Attorney do nothing regarding corruption at APD’s Evidence Room even with the facts that money, guns, and drugs have been stolen.  This starts a very cozy relationship between the new chief of APD and those law enforcement agencies that the public depend upon to be checks and balances.  APD command staff begins to act without any concern that the NMAG or Bernalillo District Attorney will investigate their practices.  It is clear there is no longer a local or state check and balance of the command staff at APD. 

I want to pause one moment and let this sink in for the reader.  The elected highest law enforcement officers in the state and in the county refused to act regarding the corruption at the highest level of the Albuquerque Police Department.  This lack of action sets in motion the current Department of Justice Investigation that we have today.  Had the NM AG or the Bernalillo County DA opened an investigation things today would be dramatically different at APD.  These two agencies failed in their duty to be a check and balance.  For APD to reach the low point it is in today this perfect storm of corruption at the highest level of APD and inaction by the two law enforcement agencies that could have stopped it, was necessary.  Where APD is today did not happen just upon the election of RJ Berry, it started before then. RJ Berry just helped confirm the department’s destruction by continuing a path of NOT holding his chief administrators accountable, if not simply providing them cover.

August 2005, five Albuquerque residents are murdered including two APD officers by a mentally ill suspect.  This sad day gets revisited in the upcoming years as numerous mentally ill individuals are killed by APD officers.  In most of these shooting cases the blame is placed at the feet of the frontline APD officer who did the shooting but this is incorrect.  The blame for these shootings falls squarely on the politicians of Albuquerque and New Mexico who then and now continue to provide little or no assistance for the mentally ill.  Police officers come into most of these situations at the traumatic end of the crisis where violence is occurring.  The lawmakers in Albuquerque and New Mexico could intervene early by enacting policies for helping the mentally ill like other states have.  The lawmakers do nothing, leaving it up to a young police officer to act in defense of their life or someone else’s at a moment that took years for everyone to arrive at.  The lawmakers bear huge responsibility but it is the low level APD officer who is blamed.  Don’t get me wrong there does appear to be some shootings that should be questioned, but the majority of shootings would never have occurred had our state and city done more to intervene early with the mentally ill.  This also points to questionable activity between the Bernalillo County DA and APD as not one police shooting is deemed inappropriate.

2006 to 2009

Under Mayor Chavez and Chief Ray Schultz APD staffing goes over 1,100 sworn officers.  There is scandal as the Albuquerque Journal exposes that some retired rehires were not vetted in the rush to hire them back.  One was found to have a criminal history (and was terminated) and another was hired before a drug test, which he failed (again terminated).  Also hired were many lateral officers with questionable backgrounds, yet the Command Staff at APD approved their hiring even when lower level APD officers brought it to their attention.  Several of these lateral officers have been a black eye on APD (Levi Chavez for example), yet the command staff does not order a review to the practice of hiring laterals.  It appears that Schultz / Chavez want numbers; Albuquerque will pay for this in the years to come. 

Pete Dwyer takes a brief tenure as APOA president but he too resigns because of allegations of corruption. APD fails again to order an investigation and Ron Olivas takes over as APOA president. Dwyer is later fired for comments on his Facebook page and his name comes up in the Levi Chavez case because of suspicious circumstances surrounding Levi’s stolen truck. Nothing is followed up of course.

During this time period several suicides of women who are associated with APD officers, supervisors and command staff occur.  Yet even when affairs are exposed nothing happens to those involved.  In one example the offending sergeant is promoted to lieutenant after the female APD officer he was having an affair with committed suicide.  The command staff turns a blind eye, why?  One speculation is because the command staff is having their own affairs and to discipline someone for this would open a can of worms. 

Also in 2009 the West Mesa murders mass burial ground are discovered.  No one has ever been named as the murderer.  This killing field is presented as a “surprise” to community by Schultz and crime lab chief Paul Feist when in reality scores of officers had been reporting and documenting the disappearance of prostitutes since as early as 2006. I should know, I wrote one of the memos expressing concern that there was a killer preying on street girls.

Several lawsuits against APD for false arrest are filed and even more stunning, APD officers are suing their own department.  The Gonzales case (2006) costs taxpayers $1,300,000 for the 2 year false incarceration of a mentally ill adult for a murder / rape he did not commit.  Court documents state that months after Gonzales arrest and confession DNA evidence cleared him.  Yet APD did not disclose this to the court or defense and Gonzales, a mentally ill man, remained in solitary confinement at MDC for almost 2 years.  Two years, a million dollars for false arrest and Schultz does not order an internal investigation.  The Bernalillo DA does not order any investigation. 

In 2009 the Clifton Bloomfield murders cause many lawsuits against APD.  Some filed by Bloomfield’s victims who stated shoddy police work caused their loved ones to be murdered.  Two other lawsuits filed by two men who were falsely accused of some of the murders.  They were held at MDC for over 15 months even after DNA evidence excluded them.  Again this evidence was withheld and once the defense and judge found out they released these two men immediately.  Again Ray Schultz does nothing.  Again the Bernalillo County DA does nothing.  So far these lawsuits have cost us over a million dollars

In October of 2009 in Federal Court in Santa Fe the city of Albuquerque, after trial, reaches an agreement with retired APD officer Samson Costales regarding allegations of civil rights violations directly against APD Chief Ray Schultz.  This is the beginning of officers and citizens seeking recourse for actions by APD Command Staff through court filings.  Since officers and citizens can no longer depend upon the NM AG and the Bernalillo County DA to monitor APD actions they start suing……… and winning.  Costales was awarded almost $1,000,000 for civil rights violations filed against Schultz. 

Richard Berry is elected Mayor of Albuquerque during this time in the Fall of 2009.  A chance for the elected mayor of Albuquerque to do his job and hold city employees at all levels accountable.  Yet Berry decides to keep Schultz as chief of police and he names Darren White as Public Safety Director.  This is another example of an elected official who is there as a check and balance who fails to do his duty for the citizens.  In any other public or private sector job Schultz would have been fired for costing the taxpayer $1,000,000 but not in Albuquerque.  The elected officials keep failing to do their jobs.

Former APOA president Ron Olivas “leaks” information to APD officer Brad Ahrensfield.  And while there has been rampant corruption and misconduct by high ranking APD officials since the evidence room scandal with little or no scrutiny, Ahrensfield endures the full pressure of the FBI and US Attorney’s office because of allegations made by a convicted felon. APD detective Ryan Buckner and Schultz’s directing spearheads and investigation which ultimately leads to Ahrensfield’s conviction and incarceration. APOA President Joey Sigala is accused of stealing APOA funds. Schultz tries to keep the investigation internal but is forced to refer the matter to the NMSP when APD detectives try to intimidate retired APD sergeant Paul Heh.  NMSP finds that while money was inappropriately spent it did not rise to the level of a criminal offense. Sigala becomes the first APOA executive board member who is investigated for criminal conduct. He later resigns and then is arrested for DV charges and is subsequently fired. Sigala is not sentenced to any prison time or ordered to pay any restitution....

Part II to come later this week.

Justice Chicago Style

JUSTICE SERVED: Chicago Style or Albuquerque Jerky?

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2014/pr0813_01.html

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-01-23/news/ct-redflex-red-light-bribery-20140123_1_redflex-holdings-ltd-company-policy-camera-company

This is the link to the US Attorney press release from Chicago regarding the federal indictment of the (now) Ex Redflex CEO and top level Chicago City employees.

Please read the entire release.  Here are some highlights:

Before Bills (city of Chicago employee)  retired, he allegedly made it known to Individual A and other Redflex employees that he wanted a job with Redflex. The indictment alleges that Redflex agents, including Individual A and O'Malley, paid for at least $20,000 worth of personal expenses for Bills, including hotels rooms, meals, golf games, and computers, with the approval of Finley and Individual B, and expensed these purchases through Redflex from 2003 through 2011.

Personal benefits directly and indirectly, including meals, hotel stays, rental cars, and golf outings.

Then the city awarded a new, non-competitive contract to Redflex to operate and maintain the previously installed camera systems:

"The alleged confluence of corrupt local officials and corrupt corporate officers demands a counterweight of local and federal agencies working to redeem the frayed confidence of the public," said Joseph Ferguson Inspector General for the City of Chicago. "The Office of Inspector General is therefore grateful for the continuing leadership, dedication and collaboration of our federal partners in this matter."

"When public officials peddle influence for profit, the consequences are severe, and when corporate executives enable that corruption, the same rule applies. We will attack alleged public corruption from every angle," said Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

Will the New Mexico US Attorney do anything?  The whistleblower says bribes were paid to New Mexico jurisdictions!  The Illinois US Attorney found this credible, why not New Mexico?  There were only two jurisdictions, Albuquerque and Las Cruces (Rio Rancho started around 2012) that contracted with Redflex.  

Being that the retired Albuquerque police chief is under investigation by several agencies for his connection with Taser, you would think that the NM US Attorney would ask the Chicago US Attorney to interview their witnesses.  Reading the excerpts from the US Attorney's press release somethings sound very familiar, non compete bidding,benefiting through meals, hotels and parties, setting up future employment and we haven't even talked about "greasing".

Albuquerque citizens demand the "counterweight" of local and federal agencies to redeem the "frayed confidence" of the public.

The US Attorney for New Mexico must open an investigation into two items to restore Albuquerque citizens confidence in their police department and public officials:

1.  The city of Albuquerque contract with Redflex. Did Redflex bribe City of Albuquerque employees?  Were the yellow lights reduced on purpose to pump up violations and therefore Redflex revenue?  Was this another non compete bid?

2. The city of Albuquerque contract with Taser.   Did Ray Schultz "grease" the Taser contract in exchange for Taser providing him employment?  Did Taser bribe any city of Albuquerque official?  Is Taser equipment defective and / or malfunctioning (as KOB 4 reported)?  Was it illegal to make the Taser contract a non-compete bid?  Was Ray Schultz and other City of Albuquerque appearing on Taser's behalf while still city employees?  Did Taser provide lodging, parties, airfare, gifts etc to City of Albuquerque Police officers (KRQE reported that Taser did pay for a party and they had the proof from a Schultz email). We know of course that Schultz and at least city lawyer Kathy Levy were doing the jig in a San Diego nightclub rented out entirely by Taser.

The citizens have no faith in their local reviewers (Bernalillo county District Attorney, New Mexico Attorney General, Albuquerque Inspector General etc).  The Bernalillo County DA has refused to investigate anything.  The City of Albuquerque Inspector General has been investigating since May 1, 2014, but no one believes this will be a fair and impartial investigation as the Inspector General has never held anyone in the Berry Administration accountable.  The New Mexico AG couldn't even follow up on the Mary Han investigation.

The citizens have no faith in our local government.  Why should they?  They have proven themselves inept or in bed with the offenders.

The US Attorney of New Mexico is the counterweight, WHERE IS HE?  Albuquerque demands Chicago Style Justice!

Here is the contact information to the New Mexico office of the US Attorney:

District of New Mexico - Albuquerque Main Phone:
(505) 346-7274 

 District of New Mexico - Albuquerque Fax Number:
(505) 346-7296

District of New Mexico - Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 607
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

elizabeth.martinez@usdoj.gov 

PS...We know the cretins running the Albuquerque Journal won't touch this story. Another glaring omission.....

APD Woes: De-Vested

Roots of No-Confidence Movement

We were the first to tell you about the APD no-confidence movement and the vote that will take place sometime later this month. In addition to pay inequities, officers have other issues with the 5th floor and the Chavez administration.

A few years ago, sworn officers were given the opportunity to upgrade their vests to an improved model that was rated to stop a rifle round. These vests cost significantly more so a deal was struck with officers to help pay for the improved protection. In addition to added safety for officers, the new vests were lighter, cooler, and more flexible. The latter is particularly important because police work also involves chasing and sometimes tussling with suspects.

The upgraded vests seemed like the perfect solution and many officers opted to pay up to $480 for the new vests. As an added incentive to purchase the vests, APD agreed to allow officers who stayed with the department for a year to keep the vests.

Everything was going fine until APD ordered officers to return the vests due to safety concerns. The new vests were then replaced with an equivalent vest in terms of safety. However, the replacement vests were thicker and no more flexible than the original vests. In other words, officers didn't get what they paid for.

Our Eyes tell us that the new vests were essentially recalled. Since there was no "official" recall, the local vest supplier Kauffman's West would not refund the officer's money and neither would the manufacturer. To make matters worse, officers are no longer allowed to keep the vests after a year's service.

Granted the APD De-Vestment took place on former Chief Gill Gallegos' watch and you could make the argument that Chief Schultz had nothing to do with the fleecing of APD officers. However, you can't excuse the departmental action simply because of a change of leadership. Besides the real leader over at APD doesn't work on the 5th floor at all... he works across the street on the 11th floor.

Where is Willoughby? The Chavez order, and why are criminal city attorneys still employed, after being caught lying? No Balls Judges, Sour Grapes, The Rael / Medina connection, why we are about to start in, and The Blind Leading the Blind.

Where are you boy?
It seems the bloviated mouthpiece for the Albuquerque Police Officers Association has been MIA since last week. Nobody has seen Mr. Willoughby. This is an issue, because how can you miss him?

Those down at the APOA are keeping their mouths shut. Word is, there are conflicting stories about his whereabouts. What our Eyes are wondering is about timesheet accountability, and the true reason for not being at work. Something stinks when everybody claims they do not know anything. Is Mr. Willoughby being paid for work when he is not there. Are his time sheets truthful? We will see, when Mister Willoughby surfaces for air.

It is going to be interesting to see how contract negotiations go.

Criminals in the Attorney’s Office still lying and obstructing

It seems those who were working under the previous filth bag assistant city attorney Kathryn Levy aka Virginia, who fled, along with the rest of the vermin, are carrying on with her tradition of vindictiveness, deception, conspiracy to defraud the courts, and are still blocking justice from taking it’s course. In short, they are still carrying the water of their predecessors, in order to protect them from accountability for their criminal actions. There are still people in place in the City Attorney’s office who were taught by criminals how to be mob attorney’s and they are continuing in their malfeasant and willfully criminal behavior. Below is an example of it. Below you can read where a judge calls out these dishonest creeps and cowards. Here is one of only a few judges who have the balls to call these worms out on their antics.

After reading the above documents, it is hard to believe that those responsible have not been terminated, but in a world where our own public defender’s office hires a convicted felon as a paralegal, there really is no surprise is there? Are there no attorney’s or public officials bound by ethics to take action on this?

The Albuquerque Urinal Newspaper recently did another article on officers who were allegedly harassing an individual who has spoken out about the Albuquerque Police Department, and it’s corruption problem. Below is former APD Sergeant Dan Klein’s take on the judges opinion, and frankly we concur.

The pussies elected and retained to make the hard decisions have been more than remiss in their duties. They are nutless cowards. They know exactly what they are doing. For a decade we have had police chiefs lying in press conferences, under oath, and on paper. Their underlings swore to it. Everyone else turned a blind eye, and their attorney’s covered it all up, or paid it away with your tax monies. What do you do when the last line of checks and balances turns a bling eye, or is too much of a political pussy to drop the hammer? You make sure everyone knows they are an unethical pussy who is afraid to do their job. That is what you do.

For years the biggest cowards in city government, the media, and the courts have blamed in directions that were soft targets for that blame; those who do not pose a threat to their political careers or pocket books. That, friends is cowardly... the one characteristic all of these people share. Well, they made a mistake. (Those they thought would pose no threat to their political careers or pocket books) You see, you just can not fuck with people, and think all of them are going to take it.

Self Absorbed Sour Grapes
Some of our Eyes are disappointed in the things transpiring. We are too. Some commenters who voice their displeasure are disappointed also, but they want to blame this blog. That is funny as hell. They think a blog should own something for supporting a mayoral candidate who has been a mayor for only a few months, whom they are disappointed in. Well, if that is not the typical Albuquerque behavior that got us here, and the epitome of the word PUNK. To these comments, we will consider the source, and get a good laugh or two. Our mission to deny the Berry Perry Schultz machine was accomplished. We will deal with the new problems as they come, but for the clowns who want to claim this blog needs to regain any sort of validity, you can piss off. We have exposed all of this. If you think you can do better, by all means start a blog. If we have gotten one deserved filth bag fired or helped out one case where someone was illegally steamrolled it is probably safe to say it is more than any of these crying loudmouths have done for anyone, besides themselves in a lifetime. Maybe these know it all clowns could have exposed the Santolina Clan behind getting their people elected. Maybe they would be happier if we let Colon get elected. You know, the one who works for the law firm representing disgraced and exiled former police chief Ray Schultz and who is now running for New Mexico State Auditor where he and his boy Hector Balderas can continue to help out their Boy Luis Robles who is Ray Schultz’s Attorney. So much for any of the past corruption being punished if
that happens.

Why Medina?
Everyone has been asking why Harold Medina was brought back. The answer is Rael. Chief Operating Officer for the CAO Lawrence Rael and Medina are boys. That is why he was brought back. Everyone who threw support to Mayor Keller brought self serving baggage, requests, and ultimatums for their support to the table. Every one of them said I will support you if you give me this. WE DID NOT, AND WE CAN PROVE IT.

The APOA got their little man Art Sanchez promoted, and we will be watching what Willoughby and his buddy, who is a proven liar in court... Justin “the biggest gun I ever saw” Montgomery will get out of this deal. Brian Colon got his favors, and people taken care of, even after all of the shit was thrown on Keller by his supporters, and many others are being put in places due to disgraceful political favors.

Many jackasses made fools out of themselves by attempting to predict things about this blog and why the motivation to have a say in the election. The grasp of Altruism eludes them, and that is why our city is a pit of violence, and out of control crime. It is because everyone is absorbed in what they can get for themselves, regardless of who, or what is getting trashed in that pursuit. There is no sacrifice.

The police brass, the city council, the mayors, those who keep their fucking mouths closed, knowing the wrong they are witnessing is destroying lives, those who run away, and those who enable this behavior willfully are all to blame. The word is out nationwide, and it is an embarrassment that what has transpired over the last decade has done so without one ounce of accountability or prosecution. Last month, the case where a mother’s child was killed by a police officer going 80 miles per hour to a call made the news again. Not because of the tragedy but, because the officer is suing the woman.
This made world news. There is almost one homicide a day, and we have little miss play NCIS clowns in that unit. There are barricaded suspects, shootings, robberies, and auto thefts happening by the dozens. The international district is not the war zone. The entire city is. Years of all of this, and the Attorney General is crickets on the Schultz Tasergate kickback investigation. Who is to blame? Everyone knows exactly who is to blame.

While we are at it, Lieutenant Jennifer Garcia was promoted to Commander of Internal Affairs, then promptly removed after only a record three months, and transferred to Traffic because she fucked up shit so badly. That is called fucking up!

No Means to Repair
So, as we look to the future, we are realizing that there is no means to repair the damage done and the insightful quote from former District Attorney Kari Brandenburg about the fix for this mess taking decades has never been clearer or more true.

The current command staff does not have the ability, experience, or competence to fix the city. Compliance with reform, and fixing the city are two very different things. Compliance may come to fruition, but it takes real cops to be able to operate within parameters set forth to eradicate the crime problem with aggressive skilled policing. This is not going to happen, because there are not many in it for the right reasons. Sad to say, but it is true. It is not about the money, as we here at the Eye have always maintained. Below is a video of that issue being discussed. It seems that the city attorney’s office is still carrying water for Perry and Berry’s horse shit excuse that their corruption was not, and is not the current reason for the mass hemorrhage of officers leaving for other places, or retiring, and those who are stuck with APD shutting down out of fear. Yes they all shut down out of fear of what was unjustly done to a dozen officers by Schultz and Eden, to keep the federal heat off of their own asses for corruption, racketeering, and other RICO related offenses. The fact is that there is no proactive policing by officers going on at all. Officers answer their radio calls, then find a place to park until the next call comes in. Over the last two weeks emails were sent out to officers citywide looking for volunteers to work, or stay over in area commands that did not have enough officers to work the shift. Folks, this is deadly, and our administration picked a few of the wrong people to listen to. They will have to deal with that mistake, but citizens will have to suffer for it. We are not going to have it!
CPOA REALIZES NOBODY KNOWS WHY NOBODY WANTS TO BE A POLICE OFFICER HERE

We suggest you read the below ABQ Report article about the mystery of why officers do not want to work here.

ABQ REPORT CLUELESS STORY LINK

Hint... may we remind you of the fiascos of officers being scapegoated, having their wives banged by coworkers, lied on by the last two police chiefs, and having to work for a cadre of absolute scum bag supervisors, who betray them at every turn, while enriching, and taking care of themselves handsomely.

And after all of this Eric Garcia has the tiny nuts to open his mouth about about how it is easier to do the right thing now, under this administration. You have to be kidding us! This clown essentially admitted that his whole career he followed along with the horse shit going on here, knew all about the taping of the federal monitor, and every other dirty little secret, but now gets to play the good guy. Sorry. Fuck that pal. Unless you walk into the US Attorney’s office to provide evidence on everything that was done by Schultz Banks Levy and all of their servants along with their predecessors you are still under our microscope pal.

Since this administration has no clue about why the place is in meltdown, maybe another candid survey is in order or a confidence vote. They seemed to have a clue before the election. What happened to that clue?

Maybe a few of the stale old political washed up talking heads that ran their mouths before the election, but are now silent can chime in. Probably not, but one thing is for sure, the same old clowns will be given chance after chance as they shit all over the place while those doing their jobs are trashed. There is a clue! Maybe that is why nobody gives a shit. This place is lead by a bunch of blind, self serving, nest feathering, malfeasants, with no moral compass, who would never risk any exposure whatsoever to do the right thing.

And we still give out gift certificates from a Police Supply Store who is owned by a coward creep who conspired with Ray Schultz to violate the civil rights, and due process of dozens of officers that Schultz wanted retaliated against through trumped up charges, and falsified government documents, in order to feel good about himself, and distract the federal Department of Justice, as co-chair of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board.... Another reason it is still treacherous to be a police officer in the state of New Mexico. In the spirit of all of that, please give your business to Galls or TLC for all of your law enforcement equipment needs.

Let’s show the parasites the door.

Thanks for reading the Eye, where bygones are not bygones until we say they are, memories are long and accurate, and there is no water under the bridge. Where we believe the corrupt and criminal should be punished, not the good deed.

If you can’t get justice, take it!

Till the next time...