Police Practices

Stylized image of a group of police officers, with one in the center facing away from the camera. The word 'POLICE' is visible on the back of the officer's jacket.

Abuse by police continues to be a major civil rights problem in the U.S., particularly for the poor and for people of color. Everyone needs and deserves effective and humane law enforcement as a fundamental component of our human and civil rights.

The ACLU of New Mexico is frequently called upon to defend people when law enforcement officials overstep constitutional boundaries. We have taken legal action in numerous cases including illegal searches of high school students, illegal seizures of private property from motorists, and false imprisonment of homeless people.

In the wake of a Department of Justice investigation that found that the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) had a "pattern and practice" of violating people's rights by use of excessive force, the ACLU of New Mexico helped found the APD FORWARD coalition. As a part of this community alliance, the ACLU of New Mexico advocates for police reform in Albuquerque and monitors APD's progress in meeting the requirements set out in the consent decree between APD and the Department of Justice.

Find recent news about Police Practices in New Mexico below.

The Latest

Press Release
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ACLU Decries Governor’s Authorization of National Guard and APD Collaboration 

The ACLU of New Mexico criticized the governor's authorization to deploy National Guard personnel, with the stated goal to support the Albuquerque Police Department to address public safety challenges related to the fentanyl epidemic and violent juvenile crime.
Issue Areas: Police Practices
News & Commentary
Stylized image of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, NM

2025 Legislative Wrap-up

As the dust settles on an incredibly challenging legislative session, we wanted to share our collective work over the past 60 days.
Press Release
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Public Safety Coalition Urges House Judiciary Committee to Oppose House Bill 8 and Focus on Real Solutions

A coalition of community organizations have joined forces to advance community-centered public safety policies in New Mexico during the 2025 legislative session were set to urge the House Judiciary Committee today to focus on real solutions to crime
News & Commentary
Carlos Sandoval Smith

How an Albuquerque Traffic Stop Cost Me Everything

No one should ever have to worry about the police trying to extort money from them and ruin their lives.
Court Case
Apr 06, 2022

Najera v. Chaves County, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board