New Training or New Trainer?

It is no surprise that the Albuquerque Police Department has been in the spotlight. In fact, there is hardly a day that goes by that APD isn't on the front page of the newspaper or the top story in the news. City Council Meetings have been so heated lately and almost every meeting many individuals are there to express their "anti-APD" feelings. We can't remember a time when APD has had such a bad reputation as they do now.

So what is the Chief's answer to this low morale, high aggression, bad decision making department? More training, better training, higher discipline. Chief Schultz even went to the media boasting about his new plans for better officers. One problem, he forgot to tell the media about his plan on training these new officers.

Recently there was an opening listed for current officers that were interested in becoming Field Training Officers. These are SUPPOSED to be veteran officers that train the newly sworn officers that just graduate from the academy, or new officers that transfer to the department. We were told that the majority of those that are being selected as new Training Officers each have a grand total of TWO years on the department. TWO WHOLE YEARS and the Chief will be granting them "training privileges". You have got to be kidding. Where in the world does the Chief get off thinking it is acceptable for a two year officer to train a new cadet or a new transfer? This has to be one of the most ludicrous thought processes of Chief Schultz.

What is your thinking when you let a rookie officer train another rookie officer? We ask you Chief Schultz, where does this practice of hiring new officers to train new officers fall in your theory of "better training"? Chief Schultz, you are continuing to ruin the integrity of the Albuquerque Police Department. Chief Schultz, you are continuing to ruin the integrity of the Field Training Program. You Mayor Berry, are no better for allowing him to continue to bring this Department down. Will there ever be a time when Mayor Berry realizes he is continuing to put the safety of the citizens at risk, because of his continuous RISKY behavior?