Resources

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

On October 31, 2014 the Department of Justice and the City of Albuquerque unveiled the court-enforced agreement to reform the Albuquerque Police Department.

DOJ - APD Commitment Letter

DOJ - APD Settlement Agreement

DOJ REPORT

United States Department of Justice Findings Letter Regarding the Albuquerque Police Department -- This letter was released on April 10, 2014 following a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice. The investigation revealed that the APD engages in a pattern or practice of use of excessive force, including deadly force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The letter describes some of the most egregious uses of force by the APD and suggests measures for remedying the systemic problems within the department.

WARNING SIGNS

Many reports have been issued over the years revealing problems within the APD and recommending changes. Until now, these recommendations were largely ignored by policy makers.

The Walker-Luna Report

A Report on the Oversight Mechanisms of the Albuquerque Police Department -- This report was prepared in 1997 by Eileen Luna and Samuel Walker, two academics specializing in law enforcement. The report pointed to 30 deadly police shootings in the 10 years prior to the release of the report. This report is important because it highlighted problems with the APD's use of force that were never fixed. Many portions of the Walker-Luna Report are eerily similar to the Department of Justice's findings letter in 2014. For example, the first sentence of the executive summary reads: “The City of Albuquerque suffers from serious problems related to fatal shootings by APD officers.”

The Jerome Report

Police Oversight Project, City of Albuquerque – This 2002 report was authored by Richard Jerome of the Police Assessment Resource Center. It recommended changes to the civilian oversight process for the APD.

MGT Reports

Evaluation of the Police Oversight Ordinance and the Police Oversight System (2006) – This is the first report from MGT of America Inc. It recommended changes to the civilian oversight process for the APD.

Evaluation of the Police Oversight Ordinance and the Police Oversight System (2011) – This is the second report from MGT of America Inc. It also recommended changes to the civilian oversight process for the APD.

PERF Report

Review of Use of Force in the Albuquerque Police Department (2011) – This 2011 report from the Police Executive Research Forum made numerous recommendations for improving APD’s use of force policies.

OTHER CITIES

Albuquerque isn’t the first city to experience such serious problems with its police department that federal intervention has become necessary.

Cincinnati

Collaborative Settlement Agreement – This agreement from 2002 was enforced by a federal court between the Cincinnati Black United Front, the ACLU of Ohio, the City of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati’s Fraternal Order of Police.

Memorandum of Agreement – This was a separate agreement from 2002 that was enforced by a federal court between the U.S. Department of Justice, the City of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Police Department.

Detroit

Findings Letter (2002)

Settlement Agreement (2003)

East Haven

Findings Letter (2011)

Settlement Agreement (2012)

New Orleans

Findings Letter (2011)

Settlement Agreement (2013) [coming soon]

Puerto Rico

Findings Letter (2011)

Settlement Agreement (2013)