APD INSISTS PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICERS AT LAST SATURDAY'S PROTEST RALLY WERE NOT THERE VIDEO-TAPING PROTESTERS. DEPUTY CHIEF ERIC GARCIA SAYS THOSE OFFICERS WERE THERE TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY. AND THE OFFICER IN QUESTION WAS TAPING A PERSON WHO WAS BEING DISORDERLY WITH ORGANIZERS. HE TELLS US IT'S MORE EFFECTIVE TO USE A PLAINS CLOTHES COP UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES. HE SAYS PEOPLE ARE MORE CAREFUL AROUND UNIFORMED COPS.
PROTESTERS THOUGHT THE OFFICER WAS RECORDING THEM. THE ACLU OF NEW MEXICO CONDEMNED WHAT THEY CALL APD "SPYING" ON PROTESTERS AND HAS FILED A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST ON THE DATA RECORDED DURING THE RALLY.
