The Albuquerque police academy’s training staff who were dismissed from their duties last summer have filed a lawsuit alleging nepotism and retaliation within the force. The lawsuit centers on a policy that required male cadets to shave their heads with a razor daily. One cadet, the son of a police commander, was found to have violated the policy and was initially dismissed from the academy following an internal investigation. However, the decision was reversed in less than 24 hours, leading the plaintiffs to believe that the commander had intervened on behalf of his son.
In a letter to Police Chief Harold Medina, the plaintiffs described the abuse of authority and nepotism, stating that they had done nothing wrong and were only acting to report ethical violations and protect the public interest. It took a month for the department to respond with a notice that an internal investigation would be initiated, which would include possible hazing of a cadet. The lawsuit alleges that the academy commander had instructed the training staff to reinstitute “old school” policies and a more “military” style of training at the academy.
The Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson, Gilbert Gallegos, stated that the city takes hazing allegations seriously and that all allegations, including those in the lawsuit, will be addressed in court. The status of the shaving policy within the cadet handbook remains unclear. The department has been facing other internal investigations, including the mishandling of DWI cases by some officers and a traffic crash involving the police chief that injured another driver.
The seven plaintiffs who brought the whistleblower complaint were the academy’s entire training staff, with over 100 years of combined experience. They are seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and harm to their reputations. The lawsuit stated that the findings of the internal investigation have not been shared with the plaintiffs, even though it was completed by a third party in December. While the plaintiffs believe the investigation found no evidence of hazing, they were issued reprimands for unspecified violations of city policies.
The training staff claimed that they were given no explanation for their removal from the academy or their reassignments. They believe that the removal of officers from positions without explanation or opportunity to be heard is highly unusual and violates the police department’s collective bargaining agreement. The lawsuit sheds light on issues of nepotism, abuse of authority, and lack of transparency within the Albuquerque police force, raising concerns about the culture and practices within the department. The outcome of the lawsuit and the internal investigation will determine the accountability and reforms needed within the police force to ensure transparency and fairness.
