THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES THE FINDINGS OF A NEARLY YEAR-AND-A-HALF LONG INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT. JOCELYN SAMUELS WITH THE DOJ'S CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION SAYS, OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, APD HAS ACTED IN AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANNER BY USING EXCESSIVE FORCE.
SHE SAYS THEIR INVESTIGATION LOOKED AT OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS THAT RESULTED IN DEATHS BETWEEN 2009 AND 2012. SAMUELS SAYS THEY FOUND A MAJORITY OF THE SHOOTINGS WERE UNREASONABLE AND VIOLATED THE FOURTH AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
AMONG THE FINDINGS…APD OFFICERS TOO OFTEN USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO CAUSE A MINIMAL THREAT…AND ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN APD AND THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TOO FREQUENTLY RESULT IN A HIGHER LEVEL OF FORCE THAN NECESSARY.
THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS FACED INTENSE CRITICISM OVER 37 SHOOTINGS BY OFFICERS SINCE 2010.
