Superintendent of Police Reform

and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

The Position

The Superintendent of Police Reform is a new, executive-level position, developed to ensure that
constitutional policing reforms are transparent and effective. As a direct report to the Mayor and
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Superintendent will provide candid assessments of the
Police Department’s implementation of reform initiatives. The creation of an independent
position institutionalizes this role, so that reform measures will continue regardless of court or
federal involvement.

Because the Police Academy is integral to both training and creating a culture that embraces
reform, the Superintendent will directly oversee all Academy operations. This includes cadet
training, continuing education, development of innovative curriculum, and creating a continuous
feedback loop between issues in the field and training topics. The Superintendent will ensure
compliance with court-approved settlement agreement (CASA) requirements related to training.

Recognizing what the Department of Justice has described as the inherent need for internal
affairs to exercise independence and have some separation from institutional politics and
pressures, the Superintendent will also directly oversee all internal affairs matters related to the
Police Department. Exercising the delegated authority of the CAO, the Superintendent will have
the final say on police disciplinary matters. The Superintendent will ensure consistency and
fairness in the application of disciplinary policies and compliance with CASA requirements
related to discipline. The Superintendent will also develop policies and practices to ensure that
the Police Department has a wide range of tools to foster culture change, in addition to
discipline.

The ideal candidate has experience working within a law enforcement agency that has been
through the reform process, and possesses exceptional leadership, analytical and communication
skills. In addition, the ideal candidate possesses significant experience as a police officer
working in both field and investigative units, project management experience, and experience
with inter-agency partnerships.

This is an unclassified at-will position appointed by the Mayor and will report directly to the
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Permanent appointments are subject to confirmation by the
Albuquerque City Council.

Duties

Reform

 Oversee, evaluate and maintain a current, independent understanding of reform work by

the Albuquerque Police Department to institute constitutional community policing and
come into compliance with federal court orders and settlements.

 Develop and maintain an understanding of national best practices in constitutional

community policing and a national network of police reform advocates and experts.

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  Report regularly to the Mayor, CAO and City Council regarding progress, obstacles and
challenges in DOJ reform.

 Report to the public on APD reform progress at forums including town halls, media
events, meetings and hearings related to the federal court supervision of the APD, which
may include the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Independent Monitoring Team, the
Albuquerque Police Officers Association, the Police Oversight Board, the Community
Policing Councils, the State Legislature, City Council, the Public Safety Advisory
Committee of the City Council, the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee
(MHRAC), APD Forward and other amici groups, the Community Coalition,
neighborhood associations, and other community groups.

 Supervise and lead production of regular written reports on the progress of reform, to be
released at least as frequently the Independent Monitoring Team’s reports.

 Work closely with the Chief of Police on reform efforts and discussions with the DOJ
and Independent Monitoring Team.

 With the Chief of Police, meet regularly with media editorial boards and similar groups
to ensure appropriate transparency.

 Participate in the development of community outreach policies, procedures and strategic

plans.

Academy

 Directly supervise the APD Academy, including cadet training, continuing education and
police recruiting efforts.

 Institute development of best practices in training, such as reality-based and scenario-

based training.

 Ensure that training is culturally relevant and equity-focused.

 Develop innovative strategies to recruit police cadets who reflect the diversity of the
community and embrace the concepts of constitutional community policing.

 Ensure and monitor compliance with all court-approved settlement agreement

requirements related to training and recruitment.

Internal Affairs

 Directly supervise all internal affairs processes, including force and misconduct
investigations, to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with reform efforts.

 Oversee transformation of IA processes as needed, including any necessary changes to

policies, procedures, training or the court-approved settlement agreement.

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  Develop innovative strategies for reducing violations of policy with specific, achievable
and measurable implementation plans, to include best practices in alternative discipline
strategies such as those discussed in the Department of Justice’s “Standards and
Guidelines for Internal Affairs: Recommendations from a Community of Practice.”

 Ensure and monitor compliance with all court-approved settlement agreement

requirements related to internal affairs.

Supervision received and exercised

 Receive general administrative direction from the Mayor and Chief Administrative
Officer.

 Exercise direct supervision of sworn and non-sworn internal affairs, academy and
recruiting personnel within the Albuquerque Police Department.

Education

Degree from an accredited college or university in a law enforcement-related field, public or

business administration, or other relevant degree. Juris Doctorate, Criminal Justice related
degrees and/or past law enforcement certification is preferred but not required.

Experience

Fifteen to twenty years of progressively responsible and supervisory experience working in law
enforcement or other public safety agency(ies). Experience supervising in an organized (union)
environment preferred. Experience working in the context of Department of Justice law
enforcement reform is preferred but not required.

License Or Certificates / Other Requirements

Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid New Mexico
Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment.

Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge Of:

 Principles and practices of police reform and constitutional community policing.

 Principles and practices of project management.

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  Administrative organization principles.

 Principles and practices of management and staff supervision.

 Principles and practices of crime reduction strategies.

 Contract negotiation and administration.

 Conflict resolution techniques.

 Principles of budget development and monitoring including development of control

measures to remain within budget.

 Computer systems and applications.

 Principles and techniques for persuasive presentation of ideas and concepts in both oral
and written formats.

 Municipal government and organization.

Ability To

 Plan and coordinate project work, timelines, roles and responsibilities; establish, evaluate
and implement administrative/operational policies, practices and procedures; assess,
develop and administer appropriate organizational and staffing structures.

 Assess, procure and implement multi-user data collection and analysis systems.

 Supervise and direct multiple and diverse functions.

 Prepare, develop and administer a large and complex budget system; negotiate and
administer a variety of contracts; employ cost containment strategies.

 Develop and maintain positive relationships with community leaders, organizations,

businesses and staff; coordinate a variety of projects and activities inter-departmentally
and with outside agencies; plan, organize, direct and coordinate a variety of functional
specialties and activities with overlapping work areas.

 Provide leadership and direction to staff; supervise and direct subordinate professional
and support staff; interpret and enforce administrative/operational polices, practices and
procedures; analyze and solve problems of a complex nature; maintain departmental and
state safety standards.

 Analyze complex technical, administrative information and/or telecommunications

systems problems, evaluate alternative solutions and recommend or adopt effective
courses of action.

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 Communicate effectively and persuasively in both oral and written format; speak in large
and small group settings; prepare and analyze comprehensive reports; conduct staff
meetings.

 Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

 Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the
performance of required duties.

 Work effectively with diverse community groups.

 Encourage and leverage different perspectives, wisdom and experience of group

members.

 Develop inclusive solutions.

 Cultivate shared responsibility and collective accountability.