Photo Credit City of ABQ
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina will retire December 31, 2025, concluding a 30-year career in law enforcement that included major reforms—and controversies.
Medina joined APD in 1995 and rose through the ranks, becoming chief in 2020 following service as deputy chief since 2017. He earned praise for leading the department out of federal oversight under a DOJ Court-Approved Settlement Agreement, reducing crime, and boosting arrests.
However, Medina’s tenure was overshadowed by a federal investigation into a DWI bribery scheme involving APD officers. In early 2024, the FBI executed search warrants targeting APD personnel and a local defense attorney. Prosecutors say officers accepted bribes, skipped court hearings, and referred DWI suspects to attorney Thomas Clear III to get cases dismissed. Several former officers pleaded guilty, including a longtime DWI unit member who admitted to taking $5,000 to dismiss a case.
Medina faced criticism over whether he knew about the scandal earlier—he stated publicly he had no direct oversight of the DWI unit and had “nothing to hide”.
In February 2024, Medina was also involved in a crash while driving a department-issued vehicle. He said he had swerved to avoid gunfire, a claim met with skepticism amid the department’s internal scrutiny.
Medina’s retirement capstones a career marked by both leadership and turbulence. In January 2026, he will begin a new national role focused on leadership training for police chiefs.
Timeline of Chief Medina’s Career:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Graduated from APD Police Academy; began patrol duties |
| 2004 | Promoted to sergeant; led “Party Patrol” program reducing underage alcohol sales |
| 2007–2009 | Served as lieutenant; awarded by MADD in 2008 |
| 2009–2014 | Directed Property Crimes Division; implemented community policing strategies |
| 2014 | Briefly retired as commander |
| 2017 | Appointed deputy chief by Mayor Keller |
| 2020 | Promoted to chief; emphasized crime reduction and technology |
| 2024–2025 | Oversaw ending of DOJ CASA; maintained major crime reductions |
| 2025 | Elected president of Major Cities Chiefs Association |
| Dec 2025 | Retirement effective December 31 |
| Jan 2026 | Begins national police leadership training role |
Following his retirement, Mayor Keller will appoint an interim chief and initiate a national search for a permanent replacement with experience in crime fighting, leadership, and community trust. APD Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel will oversee the transition.
