TOP OF MIND: What is your take on the auto accident/shooting incident involving Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina?

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

What is your take on the auto accident/shooting incident involving Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina?

“I think he did the best he could in an unexpected and dangerous situation with several civilians present. He acted responsibly by almost immediately turning on his body camera and making sure he was given a drug and alcohol test at the scene.”

— Dawn Martinez Albuquerque

“Why did the chief of police run away instead of checking out the situation? Is he scared, or just all talk and no action? The man has to go. Anyone else would of been given a ticket for running a red light. What’s up with this?”

— David Griego Albuquerque

“Harold Medina has outstanding leadership performance as chief, having devoted his life to law enforcement – more specifically his time to APD. He had precious cargo, his wife. What would you do to protect yourself and your beloved if faced with a similar situation?”

— Renee Weber Taos

“Mayor Keller should immediately place Chief Harold Medina on administrative leave and ask the Sheriff’s Office or State Police to investigate the car crash for violations of standard operating procedures. Medina should be charged with reckless driving for driving into oncoming traffic and T-boning another placing them in critical condition.”

— Pete Dinelli Albuquerque

“Chief Medina’s actions, or lack thereof involving the gunfire and accident which sent an innocent person to the hospital, leave many unanswered questions. Any discipline rendered to him should be on par with what his officers would receive who are overly disciplined for minor infractions. Enough with Mayor Keller’s unwarranted praise.”

— David Gilmore Albuquerque

“Under the same circumstances, wife in car and all, I would have been most interested to see how Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen would have reacted. I suspect exactly the opposite as Chief Medina did, and would have fully engaged the perpetrator. That’s what good cops do.”

— Robert Ferguson Albuquerque

“Chief Medina panicked, making bad decisions on that day. He forced his way between two cars and I believe totally did not see the Mustang. He was out of control.”

— Robert Wayne Albuquerque

“It appeared to me that his actions were exceedingly dangerous with no regard for any one’s safety. Very irresponsible for anyone, especially our police chief.”

— Pat Cataline Albuquerque

“I have a lot of respect for Chief Medina. It’s very unfortunate that people try to find negativity for any law enforcement when accidents occur. Put yourselves in any officers shoes and situations where you only have seconds to make a decision, think about that.”

— Ronald Rivera Algodones