1,100... the magic number sent down from on high (or at least the 11th floor) by the Almighty Alcalde. Marty has been promising year after year that APD would have 1100 officers by (fill in the blank - this year, next year, last year, etc.). The illusive 1,100 has been a thorn in his side and a major black eye for a mayor that governs by news conference.
Now in addition to having to recruit new officers APD is recruiting recruiters. Last Friday the "commander" in charge Commander Sauzo, was transferred out of the recruiting department that he headed. Our Eyes tell us that he was transferred for refusing to allow a substandard recruit into APD's academy. In addition, Our Eyes tell us that APD initiated an Internal Affairs investigation targeting Commander Sauzo for "inappropriate" questions during the interview.
APD brass is somewhat infamous about its use of the IA investigation to control officers. These conveniently timed investigations give the 5th floor something to hold over an officer's head. If the targeted officer complies and keeps his or her mouth shut the investigations tend to go away.
Our Eyes behind the badge tell us that they seriously doubt that Commander Sauzo would make the mistake of asking an inappropriate or improper question during a cadet interview as his APD service includes Internal Affairs. Commander Sauzo's transfer along with Marty's tongue lashing, job threatening February tirade (read about it here) has created a mass exodus in recruiting.
So far, 2 detectives and a lieutennant have transferred out of the department and our Eyes tell us that the unit's Sergeant will be transferring out as well - all because of the pressure to recruit 1,100 officers at any cost. Marty's mandate borrows the APS policy of everybody gets in and everybody passes.
We don't know about you, but we've got a problem with just anybody getting police powers. There have already been too many examples of police officers crossing the line of late and that's with the previous standards. APD should be raising standards, pay, and respect for officers on the force. Make APD the best agency in the state for officers to work and you'll have a line out the door trying to get in. Make intimidation your tactic and standards optional, and you'll continue to have record retirements every year and you'll make the bottom of the barrel your recruiting pool.
----- Correction -----
Ooops! We originally posted 2 of 4 lieutenants - that was incorrect. It was supposed to read 2 detectives and a lieutenant. Sorry for the error, it has been corrected above.
48 comments:
Suazo been in bed with the 5th floor forever, what goes around comes around, he will finally get his for doing all the dirty work he did in IA, violating union contract, officers rights, I don't feel sorry for him at all, he doesn't have a backbone anyway
I heard that the 5th floor is catching so much heat from the rank and file, that they plan to put Commander Suazo back at the academy. This is an attempt to stop the mass exit of all the academy staff! Everyone was leaving and this scared the hell out of the 5th floor who is now back stepping. Several positions have already hit the blotter, but the brass will resend those openings, and eat crow on this one! This goes to show you how very much alike the Schultz administration is to the fired Ex- Chief, Gallegos Admin. If you don't do as they say, they make up an IA complaint against you. Suazo will go back, but at what expense! How will his attitude change now that he knows that he can be thrown under the bus at the drop of the hat.......My guess is that he will do everything the 5th floor says, as they really put the scare in him. Chief Schultz leads by fear.
Capt Matt Suazo will get his job back and the rejected recruit will be hired! This command staff is a f@*kin joke. They run around this place with so much arrogance and have such a superiority complex that it makes us sick.
The 5th floor is infamous for launching internal affairs investigations against officers/commanders that do not follow the chief with out question. Schultz does not like his staff to think outside the box, it's his way or the highway. He wants everyone to be his puppet. Schultz and his deputy chief's are so stuck up, they do not talk to the rank in file, nor do they respect us. They treat us like we don't matter! Someday, soon, we will be in their shoes and I assure you, we won't act like them. They are the epitomize of piss poor leadership and our rock bottom morale is the outcome. It has never been worse on APD in the 12 years that I have been here. This chief hates everyone! At least Gallegos would talk with us. Schultz and his staff have gotta go! They are destroying this dept. 95 percent of APD's officers do not trust anything Chief Schultz and his deputy chief's say or do! All they do is LIE to us and feed us bullshit!Another case in point is the set up of Cpt Suazo.
Watch how Chief Schultz and DC Castro start back peddling on this one! They are just catching way too much heat on Suazo and they know they screwed up! Lets see how they lie their way out of this one.
First, The reason Cmdr Suazo Was removed is because the rejected recruit's family has direct connections to Mayor Marty. When Marty found out what had happened, he gave the order to remove Cmdr Suazo. So much for the Chief going to bat for his commanders like he said he would! No more union support. This is exactly what the 5th floor wanted.
Second, Cmdr Suazo was vocal about not wanting to lower the APD Academy standards and the 5th floor took him out as an example for others to see what happens when you cross the chief who wants standards lowered to get APD's numbers up. That's all they needed was an excuse.
Third, The chief will back stab anyone just to stay in favor with the Mayor.
"LEADERSHIP IS SOLVING PROBLEMS. THE DAY YOUR TROOPS STOP BRINGING YOU THEIR PROBLEMS IS THE DAY YOU HAVE STOPPED LEADING THEM. THEY HAVE EITHER LOST CONFIDENCE THAT YOU CAN HELP OR CONCLUDE YOU DON'T CARE.
EITHER CASE IS A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP." COLIN POWELL
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE CASE WITH THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPT.
THE TROOPS HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO FAITH OR CONFIDENCE IN CHIEF SCHULTZ OR HIS ADMINISTRATION....
The Chief's office is in total panic mode. They know the really made a major mistake by removing the Capt of the Academy just to please the Mayor. They did not expect all the troops to rally behind the capt, as well as support him. The chief's office will do damage control and put the transferred Capt back. Talk about the Chief's office having egg on their face. These guys are total idiots and have no clue on how to successfully manage people.
Ultimately, even Mayor Marty answers to us, the taxpayers. It is time we the taxpayers demanded accountablity from him!!! The idea that the standards are to be lowered and someone related to Mayor Marty who was considered unacceptable will be allowed into the academy is just another example of the abuse of power that goes on here. We are NOT in Mexico, nor are we in Nazi Germany. If we don't stand up now for our rights and demand accountability they will continue to be erroded. I say let's recall Marty!!!
Capt Suazo is a "by the book" guy -- if he says someone ain't fit for duty -- they aren't. I say God bless him for being stand up
Capt Suazo will get a verbal or letter repremand for doing his job. Isn't this a cazy place. The sad part is that he did nothing to warrant the discipline and will not be able to fight it.
I heard that they want to also go after Lt Cafferkey for putting DC Castro in his place during a meeting at the academy. They all jumped down the DC's throat and refeed him his breakfast. He left with his tail between his legs. The DC did not expect all the academy officers and staff to mutiny against him. The rebellion took the 5th floor by total surprise and they are now retracting their foolish actions.
Even the Academy Sgt was going to leave Talk about a mass departure. This action freaked out the 5th floor who came back begging them all to stay.
Will they help Capt Suazo put all his stuff back in his office after they told him he was not coming back? The Capt totally vacated it.
Commander Suazo I have never worked for you but you have some serious balls! Thank you for maintaining your ethics and standards throughout your career and your stint at the academy! Wherever you end up I will be proud to work for you!
Anyone that bad mouths you is only furious that they have been held to the high standards you expect of them. Lazy cadets or staff members should be removed from the staff and or the academy. You have done a tremendous job of weeding out some employees and possible future employees which would have only brought trouble to the department.
Bravo also to to the Lietenant, Sergeant and others who elected to go back to patrol instead of being part of the substandard department which will surely take over once the current staff leaves.
Bring back Suazo and bring back integrity and pride the Albuquerque Police Department.
Good points made in above posts, its hard to accept how far APD has fallen in just a few years. We were so proud but now look at us. I hope everyone keeps their word, anyone but Marty and we need to play hardball with any contract the Union puts on the table and troops need to vote no.
Regardinng the last post. I hope that the APOA can at least get us above BCSO's pay. The Deputys go to $23.15 and hour in July. Sgts to $ 27.10 and Lt's to $31.75. Again there will be mass departures as 34's leave for better pay. The 5th floor better wake up real quick. This department will never get up to 1000 much less 1100 officers. Keep watching each others six as it will get worse before it gets better.
The question is will the rank and file stand up and put their personal agendas to the side and do what's best for this department. That means saying NO to any contract proposal by the city that is not above and beyond any competing agency.
In order to staff this place like it needs to be, serve the citizens of this fucked up city, and operate in environment where there is 82, APD needs to offer a package that is the envy of every agency in the state. Only when the Academy staff is slammed with applicants and ONE class of 50+ cadets a year will we know this is happening.
And Marty ... take your sorry ass degree back to Washington, we'll get the door for you.
Good luck Academy Capt, Lt, Sgt and staff. You guys stand tall, as you have intergrity and do what is right.
I hope in a few years this dept can recover from all the mismanagement and corruption that we have experienced over the last years from our top administration.
I even saw Chief Schultz on TV slamming Governor Richardson over the red light camera bill. He called Governor Richardson's Metro court corrupt. Boy, that sure was the pot calling the kettle black. I do think the Governor will make Schultz pay for those remarks. We all know the mighty little one is way too smart to make a statement like that, so he put Schultz up to the task. Talk about stupid.
Here's how hard up APD(5th floor) is about getting the numbers up and the standards down; a former Lt. tried to come back as a part-timer doing backgrounds for recruiting and the Chief x-nayed the hire. He came up with some BS reason (lie)as to why the former Lt.(who not only was in recruiting in the past, but also the Lt. at the Academy) would not be re-hired. The real reason is the Lt. knew of several cadets and now officers, who should've never been allowed on APD. He himself voted against them in Chief selection, but was overrode by the former DC's and Chief Schultz. And yet, had the Lt. not left the department, it has been said, by Chief Schultz himself, he would've been promoted to Capt. (hahaha) Way to go Chief, in your selection process.
Suazo got what he deserved, he got a taste of Marty's wrath
The Chief really liked that LT. However, after the LT retired with his Capt and fellow LT, who were all good guys. Schultz put him on a black list. Schultz is known to really hold a grudge. The Lt is a really smart and good guy and would have been a great asset to the dept's recruiting effort. Everyone liked him, even Schultz. However, if you retire under Schultz, he takes it personal and hates you. Well Schultz, you will be gone in 18 months. Let's see how the officers treat you after you have left. Hopefully as good as you have treated them. Oh, I forgot, your moving out of town, again.
Ray and his gang tried to black ball this same lt and his friends when they started up a company to instruct on LE topics. Ray made phone calls trying to stop the establishment of their company.
This must be Lt Tate. He was at the Police Academy for about 5 years. Talk about having a ton of experience running an academy and recruiting. This guy has it!
Capt suazo and Lt Tate are very good friends. I'll bet the chief does not like that fact. The two really would have done a bang up job recruiting officers.
What a waste that the chief would not take on talent like Lt Tate's.
So why did the chief's hire all those ex cheese ball dirty deputy chief's, Johnson, Saur and Chaves back? He even hired Debuck back as an SRO, but he won't hire a talanted Lt back who is a recruiting expert??????
How about Schultz not hiring back several retired APD officers who had just served in Iraq! One of these guys is now with BCSO. He is a hell of an officer and was in charge of a Battalion of soldiers. He retired from APD after 20 years and Ray tells him no to coming back!
I hope that Marty and Ray pissed Richardson off enough that at the next legislative session he kills the retiree return to work law. What will that do to the staffing at APD (of course most of the retirees aren't taking calls anyway and God Bless those who are).
I also hope not one APD officer is dumb enough to stay past 20 years for the stupid deferred comp BS that Schult got the APOA to sign off on. If Schultz wants to stop officers from retiring why didn't he create a 10% pay raise for officers at 20 years, 23 years 26 years etc? Oh I know why because it makes sense and Ray didn't think of it.
Say it isn't so! Capt Debuck is an SRO. I don't believe it.
Right before Capt Debuck retired he and I had a very long conversationmin the SE. Capt Debuck told me that he did not understand why anyone that retired from APD would want to come back. He just could not understand why all the rehires were coming back to work. We talked about how the rehires found out how tough it was to work in the private sector and how they would now have to work for a living unlike working for the PD where they could go work out or do whatever and only put in a few hours of work and get paid for 8 hours.
Well, I guess Capt Debuck found out real quick that there were no free lunches in the private sector. I still don't believe he's back, after all he told me.
I know of a 34 who had worked very hard to make the best of this dreary situation. He always commented on how morale within the department often transversed through highs and lows. As a Training Officer, I even heard him tell his recruits on more than one occasion "form your own opinions but don't let someone else's discontent discourage your choice to become a cop"...
Known as a hard worker, he displayed a professional image with shiny boots and a sparkling cruiser. Recently, however, I have witnessed first-hand how misdirected micromanagement and an obvious disconnect between upper-level staff and patrolman/sergeant ranks has turned yet another dedicated law enforcer into a disgruntled trophy of mediocracy.
Noteworthy monthly statistics, criminal arrests, community service, earnest effort....all qualities generally heralded by superiors except those under this administration.
All of these and others unmentioned were brushed aside when an "anonymous" citizen filed a complaint after witnessing the bold and brazen lack of respect for the community exhibited by the 34 as he galavanted around town boldy displaying what appeared to be window tint on his police car windows!!! *gasp* Better yet, the citizen stated in the complaint that the dark windows prevented any view inside, in-turn thwarting any attempt to see whether or not the officer was talking on the cell phone while driving. Seriously. I saw the printed complaint. Is this what the administration is worried about? Is this some sort of problem, I mean dark windows on cop cars?
The officer was confronted and forced to remove the tint from the windows or be disciplined (which apparently falls into the realm of "vehicle abuse"). Everyone else with unauthorized tint or any other minor modification (myself included) should take heed to this warning 'else face the consequences lurking above as more "anonymous" watchdogs blow the wistle on we miscreant cops!
Well, one less cop car with tinted windows and one less cop willing to go above and beyond because of a looming fear of attracting additional frivolous complaints and additional reprimand. Nice going, administration.
Remarkable how many people throw in that hidden insult about how hard the provate sector is. THe private sector is actually easier, there is far less political BS and, frankly, the bosses in the private sector seem to have gotten there by merit or education and not by political appointment -- so I dont "get it" why going back to the PD is "easier".
Coming back to APD is easier, just look at the closets these guys are in. Hmmmmmm working on computers with no educational background to do so (and making $21.07 an hour to do it). Making $21.07 an hour to be in charge of APD museum also with no educational background to do it. The list goes on and on.
The hard part goes to the few retirees who are shagging calls and to those officer I have total respect.
How many rehires are actually taking calls for service on the streets out of the 40 or 50? maybe 11 or 12?
They should all be working on the streets in marked police cars! not just half of them.
Ray b doesn't give a shit about 34s or the citizens
after marty looses the next Mayoral election he move up to Washington with his buddy Darren, who will find him some Federal Job.
Don't get bit. You might get Ray B.
Never has this dept ever seen such a chief that does not care about his people. This guy and his staff will go down as the most hated APD Chief ever! Not to mention the morale being the worst in APD history. Under the Marty administration, APD has been the worst ever! The mayor picked two chief's that have brought this dept to levels never ever seen before, and not positive. Chief Polisar was the only good Chief this mayor picked, the other two just plain suck.
If things can't get any worse then why not put forward the no confidence vote again? Why did that get tabled? Why extend any consideration if the end is in site...why not get that last punch in????? APOA show some more leadership and sack this crew!!!
Thanks to the rank and file each and every day for protecting the civilians/citizens in Albuq. You have a messed up Admin. but you 34's are awesome! Thanks!!
You guys and gals are Albuquerques BRAVEST. keep up the good work. You do a remarkable job even with the low morale and bad staffing levels.
Ditto, you officers in blue are great! Keep up the hard work dispite the hardships caused by your management team. The citizens of the city are behind you.
Everyone complains about the APOA not doing anything. Before change can happen with APD the APOA needs to change. Anybody that was there when Lawrence was there needs to go. We need a new attorney. We need to stop wasting money on Rudy. Anyone who was part of Lawrence's group needs to leave so the APOA can start rebuilding itself with police officers who actually care about APD and not their own political careers.
I had heard that there was a retired LT that would do Rudy's job part time and would get paid a lot less?? What happened to that?? The guy mentioned in the rumor was darn smart and seemed like exactly the sort of guy who'd do it well.
11th floor doesn't like thinkers, smart people, especially smart cops. Threatening!!!
Chief Schultz does not like them either!! They threaten his job!
If you really care show up at the next APOA meeting on the 20th and demand change. Ask questions like just what does Rudy do and for how much? Why was he canned a few years back, but taken back in just as soon as Lawrence got in? Does Mower really represent our interests anymore? I think new people are important in our organization. The same, unelected folks, have just been hanging on for years and it is time for them to go.
Show up to the APOA meeting and raise some heck! Not just with Marty and Ray but with our sell out organization. That is what would really scare Marty is if we, the members, kicked out all these guys that have been giving him a pass for years. Then he wouldn't have anyone he could control.
Or say nothing and keep the status quo and keep getting crapped on. APOA members it is up to you!
Chief Schultz better hope his words about Governor Richardson does not prompt the Governor to reverse the law that allows Schultz to hire retired cops back. If so, Schultz will not have a police dept left as allmost 1/4 of his dept is made up of rehires. With the rehires gone, Schultz would only have about 750 officers. Way short of the 1100 they have been promised and promised year after year.
Yes, I agree, Rudy needs to leeave, he is a direct link to Schultz and they only take care of Their boys. APOA is crazy if they don't think Rudy runs and tells the 5th floor EVERYTHING. There is so many issues within APD I don't really know if a pay raise will help does anyone??
The last few comments are absurd. Rudy has been gone for over a year you idiots. Maybe if you showed up to a meeting once in a while instead of putting your tail between your legs you would know that.
What does Rudy do anyway? How much is he paid? Wasn't he terminated a few years back by the APOA? Why was he rehired?
Why don't we have Damato representing the APOA instead of Mower?
Can anyone answer these questions?
What does Rudy do anyway? How much is he paid? Wasn't he terminated a few years back by the APOA? Why was he rehired?
Why don't we have Damato representing the APOA instead of Mower?
Can anyone answer these questions?
Yet again, the Mayor's office is screwing all the older officers out of a good pay raise. Sure they raised the dollar amount, but took away longevity. Dumb ass, Jeff Remington screwed us on that deal. If you do the math and calculate your longevity in as a dollar amount, you will see that we are only getting a little over 2% a year. The union is trying to sell this because they are in the Mayor's pocket like Lawerence Torres is. Fire didn't lose anything.
They will divide and conquer. All the rehires and laterals come out better than the guys that were loyal to APD and were able to make it into an APD Academy. However, the admin hopes the dollar amount will get the rehires and lateral it needs for the badly needed number. Once again, the APD Union screws it's own! Now Olivas won't be fired for his off duty injury! He's selling his soul like the others.
Mower has a straight connection to the 5th & 11th floors!
He hasn't really been behind public safety rank & file for years. Be careful what you tell him.
I've been thrown under the bus by him and the union more than once.
And Rudy needs to go bye-bye.
Does anyone know the status of the Bregman lawsuit filed on behalf of city workers for improper/not paying OT? Head nothin since the judge gave go ahead to file and that bastard Bregman never returns my messages or emails. Is that thing still in effect or what? In my Dept. I'm the only idiot that signed on to that lawsuit so I'm not in the loop I guess!
Yet again, we lose our teams in the various commands. Another hose job by the 5th floor. It never ends with these guys.
Hey how about that payraise!!
Pay raise for who? The new officers and the officers with 18+ experience? What about the officers with 11-17 years? They just got screwed!
Mower has always been loyal to the 5th floor. Did you see him on TV defending Chief Gallegos' girlfriend when she was popped for DWI.
Mower only has his own interest and pocket book at heart. Hey, he sounds like Chief Ray Schultz.
The APOA should fire him and bring John D on full time.
Members need to voice their frustrations with Mower!
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