The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) faced allegations of corruption within the DWI unit in a scandal that led to several officers resigning amid accusations of accepting payment to make cases disappear. Despite receiving a tip in 2022 about officer misconduct, an internal investigation found no evidence to substantiate the claims, delaying the uncovering of corruption until the FBI stepped in. The FBI launched an investigation in 2023 after being informed by the APD, ultimately leading to search warrants executed at the homes of officers and a local defense attorney in 2024. This investigation revealed suspiciously low conviction rates in DWI cases handled by officers such as Honorio Alba, who had been named “Officer of the Year” by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The APD’s failure to discover this corruption earlier resulted in the dismissal of around 200 DWI cases by the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office due to unreliable officer testimony. As officers resigned and internal investigations continued, the full extent of the alleged misconduct became apparent, with claims of deliberate missed court dates leading to case dismissals. The scandal underscored a deeper systemic issue within the APD, prompting calls for accountability and thorough investigations into the department’s practices and oversight mechanisms.
Source
Photo credit reason.com
