APD’S parsing ‘truth’ sends wrong message

According to standard-operating procedure at the Albuquerque Police Department, “personnel shall truthfully answer all questions specifically directed to them, which are related to the scope of employment and operations of the department.”

So why would APD brass decide to parse “truthfully” for the purposes of discipline at the same time the Department of Justice is investigating whether APD has a pattern or practice of violating civil rights? An investigation that will in great part consider APD’s “internal control mechanisms” — how it investigates allegations of improper force and misconduct and holds its officers accountable through policies and Internal Affairs?

Until the revision last fall, lying in the scope of APD employment was a “Sanction 1” offense with a penalty of “suspension/dismissal.” In practice, that translated into discipline of 30 days all the way up through termination.

Under the revision, violating the truthfulness policy can range from the old “Sanction 1” to “Sanction 5,” which can lead to a suspension of as little as one day.

How, exactly, does the change do anything but downplay the need to tell the truth?

The specific reason for the change, if there is one, is unclear. Deputy Police Chief Allen Banks says the department wanted a broader range of penalties because not all cases of untruthfulness are the same.

To be clear, the policy is not in place to address an officer lying when he doesn’t respond honestly to a supervisor asking about the Lobos’ chances next year.

The policy applies only to answers “related to the scope of employment and operations of the department.” Thing like: Did you post swastikas on social media? Did you kick a suspect who was on the ground? Did you warn suspects about an ongoing felony investigation? Did you pull the trigger? All have happened in recent APD history.

Retired APD Lt. Steve Tate, who ran the Internal Affairs division and Police Academy, says, “when it comes to lies told in the scope of employment, there are no levels. You’re either truthful or you’re not. This change is very troubling and, really, it’s embarrassing. Truthfulness is something we stress from the beginning. I don’t see who this benefits: certainly not the officers, the department or the citizens.”

Especially not when public confidence in APD has been compromised and the feds have the department under a microscope.