Albuquerque launches search for new police chief

The city of Albuquerque announced Thursday that it has begun the search to see who will lead New Mexico's largest law enforcement department after Harold Medina, who led the force for five years, announced in December that he would retire.

Cecily Barker, a former deputy chief with over 20 years of law enforcement experience, currently serves as interim Albuquerque Police Department chief. She has expressed interest in the position but has yet to apply, according to APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos.

As of Thursday, six people have applied for the position, Gallegos said.

“We are in a very different environment now that we completed our reform efforts with the Department of Justice; our crime-fighting strategies are working, and we are attracting more officers,” Mayor Tim Keller said in a news release.

“We also know the community is still concerned about safety. We have an opportunity to choose a police chief who will rise to meet today’s challenges, like the proliferation of fentanyl and long-standing cracks in the criminal justice system.”

The city has hired an outside firm, Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc., to assist in the selection process. The firm specializes in police executive searches and has aided dozens of large law enforcement agencies, including those in Chicago and Dallas. 

Public records from the city of Albuquerque's website show the firm's contract began Jan. 2 and has a maximum limit of $100,000.

When former APD chief Michael Geier announced he was retiring in 2020, it took the department roughly six months to choose Medina as his permanent replacement. Gallegos said there was no firm timeline for announcing the next selection, but he expects the process to move faster than when Medina was chosen. 

Community input sessions will be scheduled so residents, advocates, organizations and businesses can "identify the leadership qualities, experience and priorities desired in the next chief of police," the release states. 

Residents will also be able to take a community survey to "ensure broad and meaningful input," according to the release.

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.