The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Albuquerque, N.M. police, saying they’re “adjusting to the times,” have shortened the period when someone could have used marijuana and still be considered for recruitment.
The new policy disqualifies potential officers if they smoked marijuana within two years. The old policy barred people who had smoked pot in the past three years.
Chief Gil Gallegos said the department is not lowering standards, but rather mirroring the policies of other police agencies around the state.
He said the department has to be able to compete for recruits.
“We’re just doing this for marijuana, which is not nearly as severe as cocaine and heroin,” recruiting Capt. Ron Paiz said Thursday. “Three years is an awfully long time ... and in my opinion, we’re just adjusting to the times.”
Potential recruits are excluded if they have used cocaine or heroin within the past five years, he said.
But the head of the Albuquerque Police Officer’s Association, Jeff Remington, said the change is in the wrong direction.
“Let’s just keep lowering our standards until we have rampant police corruption,” Remington said. “Maybe then they’ll be satisfied. The department is so desperate to hire people that they’re using the path of least resistance.”
About 20 years ago, Paiz said, the department would not have considered anyone who had smoked marijuana. The policy later was changed to an 18-month period, then was raised to three years about five years ago, he said.