Nov 27, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Nov 23, 2014
Where We Are...
As we head into the holiday season, your loveable Eye thinks it's time we take a quick look around and survey the scene, if you will; you know, the scene of the crime.
1. Almost two years ago, in November 2012, the United States Department of Justice announced an investigation into APD's use of force. Then Chief Ray Schultz said to the department and to his inner circle that this investigation would more than likely find that APD was a good department and had "it's house in order."
2. Just after the jury comes back with a staggering $10 Million judgment against the city for APD officer Brett Lampiris Tremba's shooting and killing of Ken Ellis, APD chief Ray Schultz reveals he's been planning on retiring since January 2013, just two months after DOJ announces their investigation.
3. Just as Albuquerque's mayoral race enters into full gear, APD chief Ray Schultz takes early retirement but not before he inks a multi-million dollar deal for body cameras and storage services by Taser International, the very company he goes on to work for.
4. Upon Ray Schultz's departure, ABQ mayor Berry announces the search for a new chief and names Allen Banks, one of only a few African-Americans in the entire city's personnel roster, to be chief of police.
5. While on the campaign trail, Berry continually praises APD as one of the best department's in the country, and a model agency that others come to to learn from.
6. In early 2014, Allen Banks announces he's not interested in being the chief of APD and leaves for chief's job in Texas...even after a glowing endorsement by the Albuquerque Journal for him as chief.
7. In comes former United States Marshal of New Mexico, former MVD Director, and current New Mexico DPS Secretary Gordon Eden as Chief of Police.
8. Shortly after James Boyd is killed by APD Officers Keith Sandy and Dominque Perez, DOJ announces the findings of their investigation of APD. In response to the Boyd shooting, Eden holds a disasterous press conference resulting in calling in for backup in the form as former APD commander and tactical supervisor Bob Huntsman.
11. One of Huntsman's first orders of business is to relieve the department's deputy chiefs of some responsibilities by creating a new rank: the APD Major. In a true act of fiscal conservatism, Huntsman promotes not one but two officers to the position, both of whom have...controversial histories with the department.
10. As the summer and fall of 2014 progress, APD officers who are eligible for retirement, file required paperwork in such numbers it is reported that there are more police officers retiring from APD than all other departments state wide combined.
11. Berry and Perry hire two outsiders to "negotiate" the DOJ-Albuquerque agreement. Such outsiders include Scott Greenwood, a Taser contractor like Ray Schultz who promotes the use of Taser products, and Tom Streicher, former chief of the Cincinnati Police Department who led the department during what are considered the worst police sparked riots since the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.
12. Via the work of Greenwood & Streicher, DOJ-Albuquerque finalize an agreement where virtually every aspect of a department whose house was supposed to be in order is now subject to scrutiny. From APD's academy (don't think we've forgotten about you Wolf, we've just been busy), to internal investigations, to reporting, to annual training, special units, and nevermind investigations and use of force EVERYTHING is now to be reviewed and subject to reformation.
The sad thing is, this is not the twelve days of Christmas, but like the never ending gobstopper from the Chocolate Factory: it never ends. And why our Eyes and readers wonder? Because the very same people that created this disaster are still in place. Our Eyes tell us, good ole Ray Schultz is very much in the middle of things and very much in communication with our friends running the department. And what of those investigations into the former chief and his questionable activities....?
While your loveable Eye likes to report and analyze the facts of things going on, we're gonna step out this one time and predict that little if anything will happen with Schultz and any APD brass. We've not seen anything happen yet, and since it seems only front-line officers are held responsible for anything, why would we expect anything new to happen.... Enjoy your Scotch Rob, you earned it.
1. Almost two years ago, in November 2012, the United States Department of Justice announced an investigation into APD's use of force. Then Chief Ray Schultz said to the department and to his inner circle that this investigation would more than likely find that APD was a good department and had "it's house in order."
2. Just after the jury comes back with a staggering $10 Million judgment against the city for APD officer Brett Lampiris Tremba's shooting and killing of Ken Ellis, APD chief Ray Schultz reveals he's been planning on retiring since January 2013, just two months after DOJ announces their investigation.
3. Just as Albuquerque's mayoral race enters into full gear, APD chief Ray Schultz takes early retirement but not before he inks a multi-million dollar deal for body cameras and storage services by Taser International, the very company he goes on to work for.
4. Upon Ray Schultz's departure, ABQ mayor Berry announces the search for a new chief and names Allen Banks, one of only a few African-Americans in the entire city's personnel roster, to be chief of police.
5. While on the campaign trail, Berry continually praises APD as one of the best department's in the country, and a model agency that others come to to learn from.
6. In early 2014, Allen Banks announces he's not interested in being the chief of APD and leaves for chief's job in Texas...even after a glowing endorsement by the Albuquerque Journal for him as chief.
7. In comes former United States Marshal of New Mexico, former MVD Director, and current New Mexico DPS Secretary Gordon Eden as Chief of Police.
8. Shortly after James Boyd is killed by APD Officers Keith Sandy and Dominque Perez, DOJ announces the findings of their investigation of APD. In response to the Boyd shooting, Eden holds a disasterous press conference resulting in calling in for backup in the form as former APD commander and tactical supervisor Bob Huntsman.
11. One of Huntsman's first orders of business is to relieve the department's deputy chiefs of some responsibilities by creating a new rank: the APD Major. In a true act of fiscal conservatism, Huntsman promotes not one but two officers to the position, both of whom have...controversial histories with the department.
10. As the summer and fall of 2014 progress, APD officers who are eligible for retirement, file required paperwork in such numbers it is reported that there are more police officers retiring from APD than all other departments state wide combined.
11. Berry and Perry hire two outsiders to "negotiate" the DOJ-Albuquerque agreement. Such outsiders include Scott Greenwood, a Taser contractor like Ray Schultz who promotes the use of Taser products, and Tom Streicher, former chief of the Cincinnati Police Department who led the department during what are considered the worst police sparked riots since the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.
12. Via the work of Greenwood & Streicher, DOJ-Albuquerque finalize an agreement where virtually every aspect of a department whose house was supposed to be in order is now subject to scrutiny. From APD's academy (don't think we've forgotten about you Wolf, we've just been busy), to internal investigations, to reporting, to annual training, special units, and nevermind investigations and use of force EVERYTHING is now to be reviewed and subject to reformation.
The sad thing is, this is not the twelve days of Christmas, but like the never ending gobstopper from the Chocolate Factory: it never ends. And why our Eyes and readers wonder? Because the very same people that created this disaster are still in place. Our Eyes tell us, good ole Ray Schultz is very much in the middle of things and very much in communication with our friends running the department. And what of those investigations into the former chief and his questionable activities....?
While your loveable Eye likes to report and analyze the facts of things going on, we're gonna step out this one time and predict that little if anything will happen with Schultz and any APD brass. We've not seen anything happen yet, and since it seems only front-line officers are held responsible for anything, why would we expect anything new to happen.... Enjoy your Scotch Rob, you earned it.
Nov 16, 2014
Meanwhile, the Greasing of ABQ Continues....
A Picture is Worth a Thousand
Words, Greenwood & Streicher LLC
Citizens of Albuquerque, how does it feel to
be greased? Scott Greenwood and Tom Streicher, the two out of state people (Greenwood & Streicher LLC)
Berry hired to represent you with the Department of Justice have been “working”
for nine months and the tab is going to be $500,000 plus expenses!
Expenses like first class travel, booze, hotel room for their dog, travel time
from Scottsdale, steak dinners at the end of their driving day, etc. The
Eye does not see anything in the consent decree that required this type of
“outside” consulting. Tourek and Berry should be ashamed of themselves for
being lazy, incompetent and poor stewards of our money. Imagine if these were transit employees enjoying lunch at the Library while on the job?!? We only hope that
the city council puts an end to the Greenwood & Streicher LLC grease
job.
This picture might help the City Council end
the Greenwood & Streicher LLC contract. Remember when Scott Greenwood
denied that he and Streicher accepted any pay from Taser International, when he
appeared before the city council earlier this year. Several councilors
stated that if this was shown to be a lie they would move to end the Greenwood
& Streicher LLC contract with Albuquerque. Even though Taser has
attempted to remove all traces of their connections with Greenwood &
Streicher LLC your Eye found this from March 3, 2014:
Tom Streicher is making a presentation for Taser on March 3 2014, weeks before Scott Greenwood tells the Albuquerque City Council that Greenwood & Streicher never have received pay from Taser. I guess they do it for free, sic. Notice the picture says “GREENWOOD & STREICHER LLC” TASER TECH SUMMIT. Notice the audience members have TASER around their necks, kind of like the citizens of Albuquerque and the Taser contract that is around their neck. The Eye wonders if Taser paid any expenses for Greenwood & Streicher LLC, or is that something only the citizens of Albuquerque are charged for?
Will the city council bring Scott Greenwood
and Tom Streicher back before them and ask them to explain this picture? If
Greenwood & Streicher LLC are doing work for Taser for free, how about
extending the same “free” contract to the citizens of Albuquerque for their
consent decree work? Greenwood & Streicher LLC may claim that Taser
did not pay them directly, but how about if they paid a third party who then
paid Greenwood & Streicher LLC? Greenwood & Streicher LLC are not
appearing at Taser summits for free, that is common sense. The city
council needs to hold Greenwood & Streicher LLC accountable for not being
truthful with them about their Taser employment. You learn this in law
school, you have to disclose to your client any conflict of interest. Has
Scott Greenwood forgotten this? Therefore the city council should help him
remember and hold to their promise.
A picture is worth a thousand words, end the
Greenwood & Streicher LLC contract now!
One of our Eyes forwarded us this little gem:
That's a nice little niche market our friends from Cincinatti have, first they say "hey PD, you need to become a Constitutional police department by videoing every encounter. And by the way, have we got the product for you!!"
Nov 10, 2014
Very Vanilla!
Innovate Albuquerque, Very Old Vanilla
Under Richard Berry’s absent minded leadership, Albuquerque has
found itself in an economic Sargasso Sea. Going nowhere and
floundering. Hot and stinky. Albuquerque is the only major American city that went back
into recession, yes Albuquerque we are #1, we are the only city who has
had a double dip recession! Thank you Richard Berry we couldn’t have
dropped so low without your abysmal leadership.
To turn Albuquerque’s economy around Richard Berry decided to team
up with business folks and UNM and create INNOVATE ALBUQUERQUE.
In the financial world we are taught that past performance is a
good indicator of future performance. In history we learn that if we
ignore the past we are doomed to repeat it. Based upon the Board of
Directors for Innovate Albuquerque we are doomed to fail. These are the
same people who got us into this mess. So let’s look at who is on the
Board of Directors of Innovate Albuquerque (look closely at the pictures
there will be a test at the end):
Richard Berry
David Harris
Richard Larson
Terry Laudick
Sherman McCorkle
Charles Wellborn
Patricia Vincent-Collawn is being discussed as the final (7th) member, but she has not been confirmed yet.
OK Albuquerque, look at the pictures of the six men who are on the
Board of Directors, notice anything? If you guessed they are all old,
white businessmen who have overseen the economic decline in Albuquerque
over the last five years you would be right! Now let’s look at the
demographics of Albuquerque:
White 42%
Hispanic 46%
Everybody else 12%
Men 49%
Women 51%
Ignoring the fact that these six white guys have been in charge
while Albuquerque has failed economically, why is this board of
directors not a mirror of our community? Does Richard Berry really not
know any Hispanic business owners / community leaders? Does Berry not
know at least three other women who are business owners / community
leaders?
Innovate Albuquerque is doomed to failure. It is run by a group
that does not represent Albuquerque and this same group are the old
white guys who got us into this mess. So please call Richard Berry (505
768 3000) and ask him, Do you only care about rich white men? It seems
like it.
Nov 6, 2014
"I Told You So" by APD Retired Sergeant Paul Heh
The Eye wants to once again thank retired APD Sergeant Paul Heh for stepping forward and calling it like it is. Below is a correspondence we recently received from him:
"Dear Eye,
Over a year ago I told the Albuquerque voters that APD was a wreck and the city's economy a disaster all thanks to nobody else but RJ Berry. I said that all of this was avoidable because during Mr. Berry's original transition he knew EXACTLY what the problems were with APD and how to fix them. But of course he did nothing. In an article I presented to City Council in 2010, I showed how they knew about what APD's problems were and what was going to happen if they didn't get a handle on it. Attached to this email is a copy of the report talking about corruption in police departments.
But no, everybody said "Paul it's not that bad, go away." Well guess what, we had a chance to fix things ourselves but now that time has past. Now the DOJ is gonna make us fix things and boy is it gonna be expensive. In the report the author noted that corruption is only fixed by, guess what? Quality recruitment, quality FTO training, fighting political pressure, fair and consistent accountability, fair career survival training, positive leadership models, keeping officer morale high, high character role modeling, and leadership with integrity. APD hits 100% on this list of things and it's not a good list to be happy about.
Of course while these are all things built into DOJ's consent decree agreement, the fact is the lies continue and I suspect little will be done."
"Dear Eye,
Over a year ago I told the Albuquerque voters that APD was a wreck and the city's economy a disaster all thanks to nobody else but RJ Berry. I said that all of this was avoidable because during Mr. Berry's original transition he knew EXACTLY what the problems were with APD and how to fix them. But of course he did nothing. In an article I presented to City Council in 2010, I showed how they knew about what APD's problems were and what was going to happen if they didn't get a handle on it. Attached to this email is a copy of the report talking about corruption in police departments.
But no, everybody said "Paul it's not that bad, go away." Well guess what, we had a chance to fix things ourselves but now that time has past. Now the DOJ is gonna make us fix things and boy is it gonna be expensive. In the report the author noted that corruption is only fixed by, guess what? Quality recruitment, quality FTO training, fighting political pressure, fair and consistent accountability, fair career survival training, positive leadership models, keeping officer morale high, high character role modeling, and leadership with integrity. APD hits 100% on this list of things and it's not a good list to be happy about.
Of course while these are all things built into DOJ's consent decree agreement, the fact is the lies continue and I suspect little will be done."
Nov 2, 2014
A House NOT In Order
A little over two years ago, APD's then chief Ray Schultz held his usual Tuesday "Chief's Staff" meeting with all of the department's top brass. Included in this meeting were the department's current deputy chiefs, commanders, and lieutenants. This meeting was just a few days after the US Department of Justice announced they would be investigating APD for unlawful patterns and practices involving use of force and Constitutional rights violations. Below is a copy of part of a memo issued to all by Ray Schultz
Yet as we saw in DOJ's "trick or treat" present last Friday, APD does not exactly have its house in order. In fact it's pretty clear from DOJ's report that APD is the equivalent of a house wreck that's days away from being foreclosed upon.
From the dissolution of units to over 120 hours of mandated training per office per year, APD is going to managed in a way that defies belief. Our many Eyes are telling us there's a weird calm within the department as not only does it feel adrift but the brass can't provide any answers to anything. While Berry likes to say the process will only take an extra $4-6 Million per year he's concealing the fact that the work officers will be doing will be reduced by as much as 50% because of all the additional time required of them to abide by all of the new procedural and training requirements. So in essence we'll be getting half the service for the same cost. That's called inefficiency and thanks to Berry and his team he just double the cost of this department.
But in a true spirit of make believe, RJ Berry is trying to position the department's failure as a marketing effort to show that when it comes to mismanaged departments nobody does it like the team of Berry and Eden. Really? A year ago we were told how the department's management has led it to be one of the best department's in the country. Now because of its utter disgrace we now can be models for disgrace. Maybe it's the whole "Nature at Play" thing that still rings in our ears. But isn't it time for some accountability? Where is the chief who predicted DOJ would find APD's house is in order? Where are the former deputy chiefs that stood by and let this happen? Where are the city attorney's that assisted in the failures of this department?
Berry talks a good game about accountability. To us it seems that's one thing that's missing in this department and in this city: there has been NO accountability for the situation where we in. And until there is, nothing will change.
Yet as we saw in DOJ's "trick or treat" present last Friday, APD does not exactly have its house in order. In fact it's pretty clear from DOJ's report that APD is the equivalent of a house wreck that's days away from being foreclosed upon.
From the dissolution of units to over 120 hours of mandated training per office per year, APD is going to managed in a way that defies belief. Our many Eyes are telling us there's a weird calm within the department as not only does it feel adrift but the brass can't provide any answers to anything. While Berry likes to say the process will only take an extra $4-6 Million per year he's concealing the fact that the work officers will be doing will be reduced by as much as 50% because of all the additional time required of them to abide by all of the new procedural and training requirements. So in essence we'll be getting half the service for the same cost. That's called inefficiency and thanks to Berry and his team he just double the cost of this department.
But in a true spirit of make believe, RJ Berry is trying to position the department's failure as a marketing effort to show that when it comes to mismanaged departments nobody does it like the team of Berry and Eden. Really? A year ago we were told how the department's management has led it to be one of the best department's in the country. Now because of its utter disgrace we now can be models for disgrace. Maybe it's the whole "Nature at Play" thing that still rings in our ears. But isn't it time for some accountability? Where is the chief who predicted DOJ would find APD's house is in order? Where are the former deputy chiefs that stood by and let this happen? Where are the city attorney's that assisted in the failures of this department?
Berry talks a good game about accountability. To us it seems that's one thing that's missing in this department and in this city: there has been NO accountability for the situation where we in. And until there is, nothing will change.
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