APD Deputy Chief apologizes during city council meeting for officer’s using racial slurs
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) apologized to city councilors and the public about recent body camera video that came to light of officers using racial slurs and glorifying violence following a deadly shooting.
Story continues below
Crime: Albuquerque man sentenced to 36 years for rape of underage girl
News: APD Deputy Chief apologizes during city council meeting for officer’s using racial slurs
“On behalf of the Albuquerque Police Department, myself and everybody involved with the police department and the City of Albuquerque; I’d like to issue an apology to all of our partners. We worked really hard to establish and build those rapport,” said Deputy Chief Josh Brown during Monday’s city council meeting.
Recent lapel audio picked up a shocking conversation between two officers shortly after a fatal shooting in April. Officers were responding to the Walmart in northeast Albuquerque about a pair of robbery suspects. One of them was later identified as Mark Benavidez. Officers tried to detain Benavidez as he left the store, a scuffle broke out, and Benavidez grabbed for an officer’s rifle. He shot it several times into the ground. Benavidez was shot and killed.
“I like violent encounters with violent people,” an officer said on the lapel footage. “That’s why I became a cop. I didn’t come to f****** help old ladies who can’t cross the f****** road. I want to take actual s***heads that are actually doing stuff off the street.”
“What’s going on over there now?… (inaudible) savages… (inaudible) it’s getting out of control,” an officer can be heard saying.
APD says an internal investigation is underway. Investigators have up to 120 days to complete the investigation.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.