ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Operation Zia Shield, a six-month deployment of the New Mexico National Guard in Albuquerque, wraps up this week. The mission began in June when 70 Guard members were called in to assist the Albuquerque Police Department with support duties, including securing crime scenes, monitoring the Real Time Crime Center, and providing security on city buses.
APD Chief Harold Medina says the extra manpower freed up officers to focus on crime and led to a significant increase in arrests—about 150 additional felony arrests each week. “Oh, I’d love to keep the guard forever. I mean, they were great. We had increased production. Our officers loved it,” Medina said.
Medina requested the deployment earlier this year as crime continued to challenge the city. He now admits he wishes he had been more upfront with the public about the Guard’s role. While the mission helped boost arrests, Medina acknowledged that visible issues, like crime along Central Avenue, remain. “Does Central look better? No, it doesn’t look better, but you know what—it helped point to what the problem is,” he said.
The deployment also sparked interest in law enforcement careers: ten Guard members have applied to join APD. With the Guard leaving, officers will return to their previous duties, and Medina expects a slight drop in arrests. “We managed in the past without them, and we will continue to be resourceful,” he said.
The Governor’s Office says it is reviewing data on the operation and will release more details soon.
