APOA Critical Incident Financial Assistance

The Eye receives many letters. This one caught our eyes. Below is an open letter to Albuquerque City Councilor Debbie O'Malley from (Ret.) APD Captain David Gilmore.

Councilor O'Malley,

I am responding to your comments in the Albuquerque Journal of March 25, 2012, regarding the payment of money to officers involved in "critical incidences." I served APD for twenty-five years retiring as a captain.

During my tenure I was involved in a high speed chase/gun battle. My only regret is that my aim was not more true as the offender years later shot and killed an APD officer, the son of a very good friend. I relate this fact to demonstrate that I have some feeling as to how the officers feel after such engagements. I cannot speak as to how officers deal with the fact of having killed someone.

I do not believe there is a single officer on the Department that goes to work wanting to shoot someone or to take the life of another. The thought of financial gain, as minute as it is in these cases, never crosses the mind of an officer who is put into a situation of having to use deadly force. Their main concern is to return to their family at the end of their shift.

I understand your concerns regarding the APOA's payments but, the mere fact that the officers are given three days off with paid leave plus counseling probably does little to console them. It is absurd and perhaps verges on the politically correct to call the APOA's small donation for the mental heath of an officer a "BOUNTY" as reported in the article. In view of the fact that neither you nor the Mayor will in all likelihood never know the experience of "dropping the hammer" on a person and the repercussions I would strongly urge you, Mayor Berry and the APOA to find a solution that is agreeable to all concerned. The City of Albuquerque must stand by its officers on all justifiable shooting no matter the count.


Regards,

David M. Gilmore