SHORTAGE OF POLICE IN ALBUQUERQUE

In the news we see that Albuquerque is short at least 100 police officers. That has been the case for years, and the City is at a loss as to how to recruit enough new officers. We submit that the City should change its recruiting policies, regardless of whether and when the City is up to the desired strength.

First, the idea of paramilitary police should be examined. Some police ought to be paramilitary, just like there should be some other specialty teams. Mental health, SWAT, close-encounter rough and ready teams, of one or more, should be available. But the tedious, boring, hard and dangerous work of patrolling and answering calls, may be handled by officers without special qualifications, and without special physical attributes.

There must be hundreds of honest, capable, intelligent men and women of age 50 and over, who would be willing to work 20 hour weeks, either as a moonlight job, or otherwise. Uniformed, armed, in marked vehicles, these auxiliary officers could perform many of the routine services. They would be excellent as investigators, because of their life experiences.

A radio ad for a local alarm company (all retired police officers) states that it may take up to six (6) hours for the APD to respond to a house alarm (because there are 80,000 home alarms in the City). Auxiliary officers could do it. Do you doubt it? Yes, some training will be necessary. Training and continued education are very important.

Not all officers need go through a boot camp type academy to qualify. Why have those people out at 6 a.m. jogging through the Valley? Why have their hair cut short? Why have drill instructor types yelling at the recruits?

People with physical disabilities can serve. What is the difference between them and small women in excellent physical condition?

We can benefit from opening the force to others than young, physically superior, people with two years of college (or military). These other people, too, can protect and serve.

This is all with due respect to the men and women presently serving. With few exceptions, they do their duty, protect and serve, and deserve our respect and gratitude.