Last Straw: Public Safety Remains Compromised

Below is an open letter to the Eye. It is not just us at the Eye that can see through Schultz and his band of thugs...

Last straw…from the experiences of a retired APD civilian employee

I was out of town when Officer Al Walck died and was shocked to learn of the circumstances surrounding his forced retirement and death. It is my understanding that APD's Chief and/or his minions were pursuing law enforcement de-certification of Officer Walck, a retired, 38 year APD veteran, which is believed to have led to his massive heart attack and death. This course of action taken by APD management has since been dismissed as unwarranted by the NMDPS Law Enforcement Board. Will there be any disciplinary action taken against those who submitted the unwarranted, de-certification request against Officer Walck? How come the APD brass are able to continue immoral and unethical behavior toward APD officers and civilians with impunity, time and time again? Why are they allowed to continue to use APD's Internal Affair's Unit to intimidate and harass not only APD officers, but also APD civilians who dare to question their actions? And finally, how much longer will Mayor Berry continue to support this police chief's administration of the Albuquerque Police Department which has cost the citizens of Albuquerque millions of dollars in law suits and many APD employees their health?

I recently retired from APD after 26 years as a civilian in the Crime Lab/DNA Unit and wasn't sure I would make it out alive due to the stress from an incredibly hostile work environment. Trying to address serious issues of concern in the APD Crime Lab/DNA Unit, the other DNA analysts and myself brought these issues to the attention of our immediate supervisors, and then proceeded up the chain of command to Chief Schultz when our pleas for help were ignored. Instead of any positive solutions, our attempts for assistance were met with an increasingly hostile work environment. I spoke with Officer Walck last summer after he had another run-in with APD brass over the circumstances involving Mrs. (Darren) White's car accident. The paper reported that Officer Walck had been ordered to change his accident report by his deputy chief and he refused, which resulted in an Internal Affairs (IA) investigation. Similarly to Officer Walck, I had been ordered by my deputy chief to do something illegal and was targeted for an IA investigation when I wouldn't comply. Unlike Officer Walck, I did not have an attorney, so my charges were not dropped immediately. Instead, the proposed 40 hour suspension punishment (after 25 years service with no discipline issues) was used to try to force me into retirement by my deputy chief, prior to resolution of my medical issues. When I later requested a witness after being called to the Crime Lab Director's office (a valid request according to city HR), I was immediately reassigned to the Records division through IA. This drastic action was based on a trumped up charge of insubordination, which involved another IA complaint (never investigated) and I was barred from the Crime Lab property and Crime Lab personnel. This went on for 4 weeks until I submitted my letter of resignation, at which time, during a so-called "mediation" with only my deputy chief present, I was re-assigned to the Crime Lab to finish up my work. All IA charges and proposed punishments were to be dropped, as long as I did not "misbehave" again before I retired. These actions were not only a huge waste of taxpayer's money and resources, but highly unethical and, in my opinion, an incredible mis-use of police powers. As far as I know, the same individual, Deputy Chief Feist (acting as Chief Schultz' agent), who issued what I believed to be illegal orders, was also the one who targeted me for the Internal Affairs (IA) investigations, reviewed the results from the IA investigations, determined the proposed punishment that was used in what appeared to be a thinly veiled blackmail attempt to force me to retire, banished me from the Crime Lab on an unsubstantiated IA charge until I submitted my letter of resignation and then acted as "mediator" to set the terms of my return to the Crime Lab to finish up my work and the dismissal of all charges. How is this not a huge conflict of interest? The investigation of issues involving police employees should be completely separated from the control of the police chief and his staff to avoid any temptation to manipulate the system for their gain. Civilian employees should not be supervised by sworn police officers or investigated by Internal Affairs, especially when the city already has disciplinary procedures in place. As stated by Lord Acton, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

In the meantime, public safety remains compromised. Upper APD management continues to ignore the issues of serious concern raised by the analysts of the APD Crime Lab DNA Unit to include inadequate staffing and the enormous backlog of DNA cases. Detectives have been frustrated when their cases can't be worked since the priority cases being worked have been those going to court. The public has been told in the past that the Crime Lab DNA Unit does not have a backlog of sexual assault cases to be worked- I almost fell off my chair when I heard this stated at a conference. While Mayor Berry has been hard at work addressing the Property Crime issue in Albuquerque, the public would be safer and better served if he prioritized and provided the resources required for the DNA analysis of unworked violent crime cases (Homicide, Criminal Sexual Penetration and Aggravated Battery cases), as well as Property Crime cases.

The posts I have read on the Eye primarily have to do with sworn officers, with little or no reference to the civilians who work alongside these officers as support staff to accomplish the law enforcement mission. As mentioned in postings prior to mine, there are many examples of harassment and a hostile work environment for officers who get on the wrong side of the current APD brass. There are many more unreported examples of injustice and harassment for APD civilians who find their numbers dwindling while their duties are expanded in order to try to accomplish the increasing work demands with less personnel. Many times there is little consideration or respect for a civilian's point of view- we have been referred to as "snivilians" or categorized as "the sworn at" vs. "the sworn", although, I do want to acknowledge, with appreciation, the recognition and thanks our DNA Unit received in the past from many individual officers or units like Cold Case and Sex Crimes.

I have written this in honor of Officer Walck and his numerous efforts to shine the light on unethical behavior demonstrated by some of APD's brass. As I have experienced, the chief's influence and power must be very extensive because NO ONE I contacted over the years concerning the DNA unit's issues would take a stand to problem solve unethical actions or orders our unit experienced…to include the APD Internal Affairs Unit, Mayor's Berry's office, the Independent Review Office, City of Albuquerque Human Resources Office and the city Inspector General's Office.

Enough is enough: Mayor Berry, too many people have been negatively affected by this chief and his minions during his tenure as Chief and I fear for the safety of our current officers as they deal with a disillusioned public and the fallout from failed policies. Please take a stand for positive change at APD that would encompass honor and respect for all people, regardless of whether they are police officers, civilians or the public that is served by Albuquerque's police department.

Cathy Pfefferle
Retired APD Forensic Scientist

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR APD SENIOR POLICE OFFICER WALCK (Ret.)

Daniel’s Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements, located at 1100 Coal Ave. SE

Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 2-4 PM and Thursday, from 2-8 PM

On Wednesday, at 6:30 PM, a Rosary celebration will be at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church located on 1800 Martha Street NE

A Funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM on Thursday at St Bernadette’s Catholic Church

On Friday, a funeral mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church located in Las Vegas, New Mexico at 9 AM. Interment/graveside service will be at the Walck’s Ranch located in Mora, New Mexico. Immediately after the services and return to Las Vegas, New Mexico, all are invited to a reception.

Railroaded Out By Chief Schultz

The Eye received the following from Officer Alfred R. Walck. It is apparently his letter of resignation to Chief Schultz. The Eye finds it so "Schultz like" to railroad a very seasoned officer out of the department while also attempting to strip him of his dignity. This is no surprise, as this is definitely not the first time that Chief Schultz acts on emotion and not logic or professionalism.

Dear Chief Schultz:

I write to advise you directly that I am retiring in lieu of further action against me. It is my deeply held opinion that the proposed termination gave me no option but to retire to protect myself and my family from further action against me. My retirement will be effective November 14, 2011.

Although our professional relationship has been tumultuous and difficult, I never was your enemy, although you clearly believed differently. I disagreed with many of your decisions, but, in all fairness, I was hardly unique.

You proposed to terminate me for reasons that are inconsistent with the actual events. In that particular incident, I was dispatched to a report of burglary, with the suspects attempting to gain entrance into a medical facility while staff was inside the facility. The report showed that two suspects were attempting to batter their way in, and members of the public were directly at risk. Under those circumstances, making the victims safe is, as always, the highest priority, and I did so. My back-up arrived at about the same time, and the initial scene was made safe.

By the time we arrived, however, the suspects had fled in two different directions. I was not directly involved in the search (either by way of coordination or undertaking the search) for the suspects, because events were moving quickly, and other officers immediately undertook those. Indeed, although I was initially dispatched as primary to the scene, two other officers, including a sergeant, declared that they were primary. Neither the officer nor the sergeant was from a specialized squad; neither of them clarified their declaration or suggested that claiming primary status was in error. Instead, at the scenes of the arrests, those officers were in charge, not me, and no one, other than Internal Affairs and you, seem confused about it.

While my back-up and I continued to secure the scene as would be customary, a high-priority domestic violence call came in. Officer Barnard was dispatched first, and a back-up unit was ordered. Both Officer Barnard and I were cleared from the scene by our sergeant because the domestic violence call was a high priority call, and the medical facility was entirely secure. Officer Barnard and I directly responded to that call and it was resolved without difficulty. It is depressing beyond words that I would lose my job for that, but I would rather lose my job knowing that I did mine, than the alternatives.

As best can be determined, no one believed that I was primary officer at the scene at the time we were dispatched to the domestic violence call. Dispatch showed other officers as primary, but I was investigated. Because the suspects had fled (one was arrested, suffering injuries in the process, and another was arrested after breaking into another building), air support was called in, and officers, including at least one sergeant, were scattered around the area, taking the incident in hand. I was not directly involved in any of their activities; I have no command authority over those officers and those officers were not even within my immediate chain of command.

This was primarily why, when a priority domestic call came in, and back up was required by dispatch, two officers, including me, responded. Scott Barnard and I both cleared the departure from the scene with our sergeant who approved our leaving the scene. If I was primary- and by that time, two other officers had taken primary and declared so to dispatch-this would not have made sense. With a more thorough, and less targeted investigation, you would have learned that other officers were on the scene (including command staff), and were, in fact, operating as primary officers. None of them were proposed to be terminated by me.

Officers in APD have long known that Internal Affairs runs at your command. The fact that I was investigated (and no one else) is hardly shocking. No doubt you blame me for Darren White's departure from the City. Although you blame me, the blame instead, belongs on him for crossing the line between personal interest and law enforcement and failing to recognize the inherent conflict of interest that comes from his relationship with Mrs. White and his position with the City and his appearance on an accident scene. Mr. White did what no other husband of an accident victim would be allowed to do, and he did so by virtue of his position.

Because I had legitimate concerns about Mrs. White's medical condition, I permitted him to remove her, but of course, my options were, in truth, to arrest him (and perform a probably cause exam) or to allow him to remove her as he clearly expressed he intended to do, and to continue my investigation once she and he were gone, lights and sirens flashing. With his job title, I could hardly deny him his demands. Of course, you forcing me into retirement prevents me from completing that investigation and referring charges if they were appropriate under the facts.

From before the Darren White incident and severely so afterward, I have been the victim of retaliation, harassment and demeaning conduct by officers that report to you directly. I have written you to put you on notice of the incidents and to request your held, and, to my knowledge, never once did you intervene. As best I can determine, you not only approved of the conduct, but you encouraged it at least tacitly. The conduct created a hostile work environment, contrary to the standard operating procedures of APD.

Once you advised in your letter that you intended to fire me, I had no choice. I have earned my service time, and I have earned the leave time I accumulated, over decades-nearly four- of serving as a law enforcement officer in this State. I could not afford to lose those hard earned hours.

I retire, and hereby give you notice of the same.

Officer Alfred R. Walck.

Cover up Continues for Kathy (Crash) White and her dedicated (to himself) Husband, Darren White

Our Eyes behind the badge are telling us that Albuquerque’s Deputy Chief of Police, Beth Paiz, may have been giving some; let’s say illegal orders from behind the scenes. Our Eyes claim that DC Paiz ordered Senior Officer Al Walck to remove the drugs he listed in his report through his Chain of Command. Our Eye’s also claim that Paiz order Walck to change the accident from “no injuries” to an “accident with injuries.” Our Eyes tell us Senior Officer Walck told his superiors to have Paiz put it in writing and he would comply. Apparently Piaz did not write the order and Walck did not change the report. This apparently angered the brass. Remember this is just a rumor that our Eyes are telling us about.

Did Paiz order Walck to change the report by removing the drugs listed that Kathy (Crash) White admitted to popping before she decided to drive DUI and crash? Was Paiz trying to protect Chief Public Safety Director, Darren White’s wife (A.K.A. Kathy Crash)?

Did Paiz order Walck to change the report to an accident with injury to cover Chief Public Safety Director, Darren White, because White utilized full emergency equipment to respond to his wife’s crash? Full emergency equipment consists of flashing red lights, police siren and being allowed to go through red lights, etc…You see, APD’s policy allows officers to run full code to accidents with injuries. Darren White ran full code but did not have a legitimate reason other than to whisk his wife away and save her from jail for driving DUI.

Where are our City leaders? Stand up and do something for us citizens. The Eye has heard some grumbling that two City Councilors, who has the guts to do something, are planning on making a motion to place Darren White on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

This City needs to rid itself of the cancerous liars; White has failed and should be removed.