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Eric Myler with SignArt of New Mexico anchors a new sign on the Albuquerque Police Department headquarters Downtown. (Jim Thompson / Albuquerque Journal)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The latest report card on the city’s efforts to reform the Albuquerque Police Department is in, and it’s not good.
It says APD has taken several steps backward in training officers on court-mandated policies and holding them accountable when they mess up.
In fact, in some ways the department is further from completing the process than it was two years ago, according to the report.
So why is APD even in this process?
Candidates Clash In New Mexico Congressional Election Debate -
By Morgan Lee Associated Press
Major-party candidates for an open congressional seat in New Mexico clashed over solutions to violent crime, police accountability, the southern border wall and the pandemic s economic challenges as early absentee voting ballot began.
Four candidates have their names on the ballot for the 1st Congressional District post to succeed Deb Haaland after her departure from Congress to lead the Department of the Interior.
Election day is June 1 for a seat held by Democrats since 2009.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat, and Republican state Sen. Mark Moores are at the forefront of the contest with major party backing, pursued by a Libertarian contender and an experienced political independent. Two write-in candidates are registered.
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On April 27, news articles about policing in Albuquerque were published in the Albuquerque Journal, “APD union launches campaign against ‘endless DOJ oversight, ” and the Washington Post, “When communities try to hold police accountable, law enforcement fights back.”
The Journal article describes the police officers’ union public information campaign that urges the public to tell city leaders to focus on crime “instead of wasting millions of dollars on endless Department of Justice oversight.”
Union president Shaun Willoughby asserted that police officers can’t fight crime under the constraints of the DOJ settlement agreement that was adopted after a federal investigation found a “pattern and practice” of excessive force and violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.
EDITORIAL: Amid a crime wave, APD gets another layer of bureaucracy? yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Gathering Of Nations Powwow Canceled For 2nd Year In A Row –
Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The world s largest powwow has been canceled for a second consecutive year because of the pandemic.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday that the Gathering of Nations Powwow, typically held in Albuquerque, will be entirely online.
Gathering of Nations founder Derek Mathews says they can t hold the live event until the state opens up for large gatherings. He was told that the powwow won t likely be possible until April of 2022.
He also says it wouldn t be right to risk people s safety, especially considering how COVID-19 has devastated tribal communities.