Interim APD chief takes the reins
Former Rio Rancho police chief, APD officer is sworn in at Balloon Fiesta Park
When interim Albuquerque Police Chief Michael Geier graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy, his fellow cadets’ nickname for him was “chief.” On Tuesday, the nickname became Geier’s job title during a swearing-in ceremony for Geier and two deputy chiefs.
The new APD executive staff, along with Deputy Chief Eric Garcia, will serve at least until Mayor Tim Keller appoints a permanent chief. He has said he’ll conduct a national search before making a decision.
Geier referred to his return to Albuquerque police as a “homecoming.” He was with APD for 20 years before retiring in 2014. He was the chief of Rio Rancho police for three years and retired in February.
“Despite an increase in concerns in recent years, I am still convinced that APD is second to none,” he said.
Geier and Deputy Chiefs Rogelio “Roger” Banez and Harold Medina were sworn in before hundreds of people, including many uniformed police officers, at the Sid Cutter Pilots’ Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park.
In announcing Geier’s appointment, Keller said
some of the law enforcement priorities for the city will be to curb crime and addiction, and restore trust between police and the community.
The city remains tasked with completing numerous police reforms, which were outlined in a settlement agreement between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice. “We have a historically high crime rate, and we had a historically short transition period, but I am acutely aware of how far we have to go,” Keller said. “Change will end when … use of force is understood and welcomed when appropriate.”
After Geier was sworn in, his first order of business was to call former Albuquerque police officer Lou Golson and his family to the stage. Golson was shot in the line of duty in January 2015 and later retired because he wasn’t able to return to work due to permanent injuries he suffered.
Geier described Golson’s shooting before presenting him with local versions of the medal of valor and purple heart.
Golson recently went public to talk about some of the frustrations he’s had dealing with the city to get care for the on-duty shooting.
“It does appear that the new administration has your back,” Golson said. “So everyone who wears this uniform can hold their head up high and know that this administration has you covered.”