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ABQ superintendent hails results as a 'success' in CASA compliance. Out of the nearly 300 times when Albuquerque Police Department officers used force in the latter part of 2022, they were found to have followed policies 95% of the time.

The Albuquerque Internal Affairs Force Division is split with 18 civilians and 19 sworn staff — which a spokeswoman said ensures both perspectives are represented. They are being trained by the External Force Investigation Team out of Florida, an effort that has won praise from the DOJ and the Independent Monitor.

Mr. Darryl Neier, Managing Member of DLG Consulting and Advisory Services, stated that as the EFIT Administrator, he was honored to have participated and testified at the Status Conference held before The Honorable James O. Browing, United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico on December 6, 2022 (Doc. 973).

The latest report from the external team helping the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) review instances of police use of force shows that APD has made a “dramatic reduction” in the percent of forceful interactions that are “out of policy.” In July 2021 almost 10 out of every 100 forceful interactions were out of policy. But by the end of September 2022, that was down to five out of every 100, the report shows.

Although the Albuquerque Police Department continues to make significant gains in the court-ordered reform effort, there have been more shootings by officers this year than during any other – including the years when a Department of Justice investigation found that APD had a pattern and practice of excessive force.

EFIT just filed their 5th Quarterly Report with the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (Doc. 960).

For the second reporting period in a row the Albuquerque Police Department continued to make substantial progress in its federally-mandated reform effort. After a couple of years of backsliding and turmoil, the department is once again in the highest level of compliance with the Court Approved Settlement Agreement (called the CASA). In May, after the monitor’s 15th report, city officials said for the first time that they have set a goal to be in full compliance by spring 2024.

Now in its second year of work with the city, EFIT has provided four reports since November 2021. Their latest fourth quarterly report covers a timeframe from April 22, 2022, to August 5, 2022. It suggests that APD’s use of force investigations are improving in terms of following the rules.