National Guard Assists Albuquerque Police

Albuquerque‘s “Operation Zia Shield”: A New Era of Public Safety?

Albuquerque is taking a bold step to address rising crime rates by integrating National Guard members into its police force. “Operation Zia Shield,” launched in response to public safety concerns, aims to supplement the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and free up officers for patrol duties. But what does this innovative approach mean for the future of law enforcement, and will it set a new precedent for cities grappling with similar challenges?

What is Operation Zia Shield?

Operation Zia Shield, initiated by Governor michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina, deploys National Guard members in non-law enforcement roles to support the APD. this initiative, which began in May of 2024, involves 71 National Guard members assisting with tasks such as:

• Scene security at crime scenes and SWAT operations
• Assisting with the agency’s drone program
• Aiding in booking processes at the jail and tagging evidence

The goal is to relieve sworn officers from these time-consuming duties, allowing them to focus on active patrols and crime prevention.

Did You Know? The Albuquerque Police Department is budgeted for 1,000 officers but currently has a vacancy rate of 11%.Operation Zia Shield aims to bridge this gap and enhance public safety.

The Rationale Behind the Deployment

Chief Medina has emphasized that this deployment is “nothing new,” drawing parallels to the department’s hiring of civilians for roles in digital intelligence and case management. The initiative seeks to leverage the skills and resources of the National Guard to enhance the efficiency of the police department.

Gov. Lujan Grisham, frustrated with crime levels in Albuquerque, allocated $750,000 to fund the operation, highlighting the urgency of addressing public safety concerns.

Concerns and Criticisms

However, Operation Zia Shield is not without its critics. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have raised concerns about the potential militarization of civilian law enforcement. The deployment has also drawn national attention, sparking debates about the appropriate role of the military in domestic policing.

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen declined to deputize National Guard members, citing concerns about blurring the lines between military and law enforcement and the potential liability issues involved.

Operational Details: What To expect

To address militarization concerns, officials have clarified that National Guard members will not have arrest authority and will not carry firearms or stun guns. Instead, they will be dressed in polo shirts and khakis and equipped with pepper spray, similar to police service aides.

The initial deployment focuses on specific areas, particularly the drone program, with members already trained and ready to assist. The department uses drones to locate suspects, find missing persons, assess perilous situations, and document accident scenes.

Future expansion and Potential Roles

Chief Medina has indicated that the operation could expand to other areas, including security at the city’s airport and public transit sites, administrative work related to case preparation, and medical assistance and humanitarian efforts along Central Avenue.

A memorandum outlined potential roles such as distributing food, water, and essential supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness and vulnerable populations, aiming to de-escalate potentially volatile situations and connect individuals with appropriate services.

Pro tip: Familiarize yourself with local policies regarding police interactions. Understanding your rights and the roles of different law enforcement personnel can definitely help ensure positive interactions.

Training and Preparation

National Guard members undergo 38 days of training, equivalent to that of public safety aides, which includes crisis intervention and defensive tactics. New Mexico State Police lead the “defensive tactics” training, encompassing de-escalation, restraint, control techniques, and how to handle unfriendly individuals.

The training also incorporates insights from experts like Dr. Nicole Duranceaux, who provides a “crash course” on mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, emphasizing the importance of communication and de-escalation techniques.

The Road Ahead: Measuring Success

Chief Medina has outlined key metrics for evaluating the success of Operation Zia Shield. A continued decline in homicides and overall crime rates through the summer and fall months will indicate the operation’s effectiveness. He emphasized his willingness to “think outside the box” and take calculated risks to improve public safety.

Comparing Law Enforcement Support Roles

Role	Authority	Weaponry	Responsibilities
Police Officer	Full Arrest Authority	Firearms, Stun Guns	Patrol, Investigation, arrests
National Guard (Operation Zia Shield)	No Arrest Authority	Pepper Spray	Scene Security, Drone Assistance, Booking Support
Police Service Aide	Limited Authority	Pepper Spray	Administrative Tasks, Community Outreach

Reader Question

How do you think programs like Operation Zia Shield will impact community perceptions of law enforcement?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Operation Zia Shield?

Operation Zia Shield is an initiative in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where National Guard members assist the police department with non-law enforcement duties.

Will National Guard members be armed?

No, National Guard members will not carry firearms or stun guns. They will be equipped with pepper spray.

What kind of training do National Guard members receive?

National Guard members undergo 38 days of training, including crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and defensive tactics.

What are the potential benefits of operation Zia Shield?

Potential benefits include freeing up police officers for patrol duties, enhancing the efficiency of the police department, and improving public safety.

What are the potential concerns about Operation Zia Shield?

Potential concerns include the militarization of civilian law enforcement, blurring the lines between military and police roles, and liability issues.

What specific,quantifiable metrics,beyond crime rates,should Albuquerque track to determine the success of Operation Zia Shield in improving community relations adn perceptions of law enforcement?

Operation Zia Shield: An Interview with Dr. Emily Carter on the Future of Albuquerque Policing

Archyde News is pleased to bring you an exclusive interview with Dr. Emily Carter, a leading criminologist and expert in community policing, to delve deeper into Albuquerque’s groundbreaking “operation Zia Shield.” Dr. Carter, welcome.

Interview

Archyde news: Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us. Can you start by giving us your overall assessment of Operation Zia Shield?

Dr. Emily carter: Thank you for having me. Operation Zia Shield is certainly a bold move by Albuquerque, and it’s a interesting case study.On the surface, it addresses some very real challenges the city faces, namely, understaffing within the police department and a desire to enhance public safety. The approach of leveraging the National Guard in support roles is innovative,and,if implemented correctly,could show real progress toward the desired effects.

Archyde News: The initiative aims to utilize National Guard members in non-law enforcement roles. What are some of the potential benefits of this approach, as you see it?

Dr. Emily Carter: The primary benefit, as I see it, is the potential to free up sworn officers to focus on core policing functions: patrol, investigation, and direct crime prevention. Also, the added resources, such as assistance with the drone program and crime scene security, could increase the efficiency of the APD. This, hopefully, leads to decreased response times and a greater visible police presence, which can have a positive impact on community safety and trust, as long as the initiative’s implemented fairly across racial lines.

Archyde News: However, there are also concerns about this initiative by public groups. How do you address these concerns?

Dr. Emily carter: Absolutely. Concerns regarding the militarization of policing are valid and need to be addressed head-on. Openness and clearly defined roles are crucial. The fact that the National guard members will not have arrest authority or carry firearms, but rather, pepper spray and polo shirts, is a good start, but ongoing monitoring is essential. community engagement and feedback are also paramount. It is indeed extremely crucial to ensure the community trusts that the National Guard are strictly involved in support, and not a military presence, to help preserve and protect.

Archyde News: Training is pivotal for the success of Operation Zia Shield. What’s your expert opinion on the type of training being provided?

Dr. Emily Carter: The 38-day training period, incorporating crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and insights into mental health from experts like Dr. Duranceaux, is a good foundation.It’s especially important that they’re being trained by the New Mexico State Police on those all-important de-escalation protocols. I’d like to see the curriculum emphasize cultural sensitivity and implicit bias training to ensure respectful interactions with all community members. Moreover, ongoing training and evaluation are essential to adapting to the evolving needs of the operation and the community’s concerns as well.

Archyde news: Chief Medina has outlined metrics for success. What other metrics should they be tracking to fully evaluate this initiative?

Dr. Emily Carter: Besides declines in homicides and overall crime rates, it’s critical to track several other factors. Response times to emergency calls, the number of arrests made, and, crucially, the number of citizen complaints related to the National Guard’s involvement.Also, measuring the percentage of officers freed up because of this to focus on patrol. Perhaps even more importantly, a community survey. Measuring the community’s overall perception of safety and their interactions with both the APD and the National Guard is key to a comprehensive assessment. This is a grate way to discover if initiatives like this help or hurt the community.

Archyde News: Looking ahead, what are the biggest hurdles Operation zia Shield faces, and what steps can be taken to overcome them?

Dr. Emily Carter: The biggest hurdles are likely maintaining public trust,managing the practicalities of integrating the National Guard into existing workflows,and consistently evaluating outcomes. Addressing public trust means transparent communication, consistent community engagement, and being very responsive to any complaints. Careful consideration with the integration aspect. regularly evaluating all data, adjusting and adapting the operation based on the insights gathered from the evaluations and public feedback, these are all necesary for the success of such steps. Failure to monitor such aspects can have deleterious results.

Archyde News: Dr. Carter, how do you beleive initiatives like Operation Zia Shield will impact community perceptions of law enforcement in the long term?

Dr. Emily Carter: This is a crucial and difficult question. Success could lead to improved community relations and a sense of increased safety.However, if the program is executed poorly, perceptions of militarization and a blurring of lines between military and law enforcement could significantly damage trust. The key is to approach this with a deep commitment to collaboration, transparency, and continuous advancement. Only then can Albuquerque hope to achieve a truly positive outcome.

Archyde News: Dr. Carter, thank you for providing your insights. Archyde News appreciates your time.

Dr. Emily Carter: My pleasure.

We invite our readers to share their thoughts on Operation zia Shield in the comments below.What do you think the long-term implications will be for Albuquerque and other cities considering similar initiatives?