Sergeant denies database misuse
An Albuquerque police sergeant accused of misusing a law enforcement database vehemently defended himself in front of the Police Oversight Board and criticized its executive director for taking issue with the police’s Internal Affairs Unit in the matter.
Sgt. Adam Anaya said he didn’t even use the National Criminal Information Center database, let alone misuse it, during the event in question.
Edward Harness, the executive director, said he never took issue with Anaya’s actions but only raised concern about the thoroughness of Albuquerque police’s initial investigation.
Anaya appeared before the oversight board during its monthly meeting last Thursday night. Anaya was investigated after Robert Tyler, who is married to
Albuquerque police Maj. Jessica Tyler, filed a complaint against Anaya that alleged Anaya ran Robert Tyler’s name through a confidential database.
Anaya told board members he only ran Robert Tyler’s license plate through a state motor vehicle database, which was allowed.
“I had every right to do it,” Anaya said at the meeting. “Would I do it again? Absolutely.”
Anaya said he ran the plate because he thought Robert Tyler was acting suspiciously. He told board members that Robert Tyler sat next to Anaya and other officers in an empty restaurant and appeared to record them. The sergeant said he wanted to find the man’s identity and give it to Albuquerque police’s intelligence unit.
He told board members that Robert Tyler’s actions that day reminded Anaya of officers around the country who have been killed while eating lunch in uniform.
“Is it going to be a murder and he’s going to post it on the internet? I have no idea,” Anaya said.
Thomas Grover, Anaya’s attorney and a former Albuquerque police officer, suggested to board members that Anaya was a target of high-ranking police officials because Anaya is a key witness in an ongoing State Police investigation into time-fraud allegations at Albuquerque police.
Grover said the credibility of the CPOA was hurt by suggesting Anaya may have been involved in some kind of misconduct. He sent a letter to Harness and the chair of the board that asked Harness be disciplined or fired.
Harness told board members his only concern was that Albuquerque police didn’t contact the Department of Public Safety, which he said police should do anytime officer is investigated for possible NCIC misuse. There have been several cases where officers used the database, which contains private information, that have come before the police oversight board. Harness said internal affairs has since agreed to contact DPS about possible NCIC misuse.
“We didn’t investigate” Anaya, Harness said. “I simply want the processes to be followed properly.”