IF NEW MEXICO LAWMAKERS DON’T PASS A “RETURN TO WORK” BILL THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, APD WILL BE UNDERSTAFFED UNTIL LATE NEXT YEAR. THAT’S WHAT APD CHIEF GORDEN EDEN TOLD THE ECONOMIC FORUM OF ALBUQUERQUE ON WEDNESDAY.
PASSAGE OF THE BILL WOULD ALLOW APD TO REHIRE RETIRED OFFICERS WITHOUT THE OFFICERS HAVING TO SUSPEND THEIR PENSIONS. THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS 831 OFFICERS BUT IS AUTHORIZED TO HAVE A THOUSAND ON STAFF.
THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS MANY PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE DEPARTMENT BUT EDEN SAYS MANY CAN’T PASS APD’S BACKGROUND CHECKS OR CAN’T PASS THE DEPARTMENT’S WRITTEN TEST.
