Report: Albuquerque Police Failed in Use-of-Force Reviews

By MARY HUDETZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Jul 1, 2016, 9:01 PM ET

Albuquerque police struggled to adequately investigate use-of-force cases amid a mostly failed review system for holding officers accountable, while the department's SWAT units showed improvement in de-escalating standoffs and other high-stress situations, a court-appointed monitor's report said Friday.

The report filed in federal court by monitor James Ginger described a police department still falling short with supervisor oversight and use-of-force policies, despite an overall commitment to reform.

Ginger is tasked with tracking reforms mandated in a settlement agreement between Albuquerque police and the U.S. Justice Department, which found a culture of excessive force among the police department ranks after a monthslong investigation that ended in 2014.

The Albuquerque Police Department also faced public scrutiny for a high rate of shootings by police between 2010 and 2014.

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