ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico’s largest city is looking for its next police chief, and now it’s seeking community input as the process moves forward.
Albuquerque city staff and a contract specialist hired to help with the search have been meeting with community members and organizations. They’ve also posted a survey on the city’s website to collect public comments.
Mayor Tim Keller said Monday that his administration wants to reach out to as many residents as possible about what they’d like to see in their next police chief.
Albuquerque was put in the spotlight earlier this year when President Donald Trump announced it was one of several cities in the U.S. where federal agents would be sent to help combat crime. For years, violent crime and shootings have plagued the city.
Former police chief Michael Geier in interviews with the Albuquerque Journal has said he was forced to retire. He has blasted the mayor’s administration for constant micromanagement, saying the mayor’s office set the department’s priorities and dictated staffing structures.
The mayor’s office in statements to the newspaper has said Geier should be taking responsibility for what happened under his watch.
Aside from addressing crime, the next chief also will have to deal with court mandated reforms and a federal monitor who has been tracking the effort.
