A settlement agreement signed in late March gave Albuquerque Police Chief Gordon Eden 45 days to issue an order that non-violent offenders would be issued tickets instead of jail time. That does not include, however, DWI. The order is a way to deal with APD’s low manpower and was signed on May 10th.
The Albuquerque Journal reports a similar order was issued in 2001. Crimes affected by the order included littering, criminal trespass, panhandling, prostitution, possessing marijuana, drinking in public and certain shoplifting offenses.
The DA’s office applauds the new order but the police union isn’t happy with it. The Journal reports the Albuquerque Police Officers Association it undermines officers and will lead them to second guess an arrest.
