ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque City Council has endorsed an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department aimed at overhauling the troubled police department of New Mexico’s most populous city amid accusations of excessive force.
The council approved the plan on an 8-0 vote during a special meeting Thursday evening. City officials are to sign it next week.
City and department officials last month announced the deal to overhaul Albuquerque’s police department, which calls for new training and protocols for investigating officer shootings.
It also calls for the agency to dismantle some units, including the troubled Repeat Offender Project unit. Federal officials say the unit had morphed into a separate tactical operation with little supervision.
A federal monitor will be chosen to keep tabs on whether the department is following the agreement.
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