Photos: New Press/Nueva Prensa, Meta Chaya Hirschl & Frida Salazar, Daily Lobo
ALBUQUERQUE—When is murder justified? When you carry an Albuquerque Police Department (APD) badge, or so it seems? A homeless man, James Boyd, was killed on March 16 for allegedly threatening officers in the desolate mountain area where he was camping out. The justification, according to the police department, was that the knives in each of his hands posed a threat to the six or more officers (including K-9) on the call. Or, as the mayor stated, it was “a mistake.”
Since 2010, APD officers have been involved in 37 shootings, 23 fatal.
Following the incident, on March 25, the people of Albuquerque took to the streets in protest. More than 1,000 protestors marched downtown to APD headquarters demanding justice for the communities of Albuquerque. “Another Person Dead” was the running theme of the protest. Sadly enough, hours after this protest, another citizen was murdered at the hands of the APD, using deadly force again.
The protest(s) have created a division among the population: supporters of APD or police officers and those that are unsupportive. It has become such a debate among many (even our own friends and family) with crazy justifications for the department.
The question is not supportive versus unsupportive of the police. But rather, we’re fed up with the injustices that the police badge signifies. A police officer is supposed to serve and protect the community but, instead citizens are afraid of what behavior they will receive when encountering APD.
For years it seems that the mayor, governor, and chief of police brush whatever situation occurs under the rug by claiming these shootings are justified, and that the officers’ behavior is justified as well. Officers of APD have been enabled to act as though they are above the people they are paid to protect.
Numerous complaints of officers have been filed while on duty and off duty, but there is never any repercussions for their actions. Despite internal investigations the excessive force by officers continues, and it seems it has become stronger in recent months—but not this time. Since the Boyd shooting there have been three protests. The people of Albuquerque are not casting a blind eye, they have spoken, risen and will continue to fight for those without a voice until something is resolved.
