By Gregory Hasman
Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Albuquerque Police Department had fewer officers leave in 2023 than in the prior two years.
According to APD, there were 40 resignations last year, which is a 32.2% decrease from 2022 (59 resignations) and a 36.5% drop from 2021 (63 resignations).
The city saw fewer officers retire. In 2023, 35 officers retired. This marked a 63.9% decrease from 2021 and 2022, when there were 97 retirements each year, according to APD.
In 2022, Police Chief Harold Medina implemented a retention package to encourage senior officers to stay longer than 20 years.
“Working in law enforcement is a calling, and I’m thankful to every individual who has expressed interest in serving this community,” Medina said in a statement. “Also, to our current officers who have chosen to stay with the department longer than 20 years, you continue to fulfill your commitment to making our city a safer place to live and your service does not go unnoticed.”
APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said counting the resignations and retirements, there are about 900 officers in the department, which is up from 890 officers in May 2023.
As part of APD’s recruiting efforts, it has encouraged young adults to apply for police service aide and transit safety officer positions as ways to explore a career as a police officer, APD spokeswoman Franchesca Perdue said.
APD also implemented a pre-academy for applicants to attend before starting the regular academy. The pre-academy informs applicants what to expect in the academy, prepares them for testing and understand the basics of APD’s structure, Perdue said.
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