CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE
CITY COUNCIL
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: All Councilors
FROM: Chris Sylvan, Neighborhood Liaison Office of Neighborhood Coordination
SUBJECT: title
Staff Recommendation to Appoint Ms. Patricia French to the Civilian Police Oversight Agency Board
body
Pursuant to the provisions of §9-4-1-5 of the Police Oversight Ordinance, City Council staff recommends the appointment of Ms. Patricia French to the Civilian Police Oversight Agency Board.
APPOINTEE NAME TERM
Patricia French February 2, 2022
223 Hendren Lane NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123
If appointed, Ms. French will be filling a vacancy left after Ms. Valerie St. John resigned. Ms. French will be serving a partial term that will expire on February 2, 2022, and will be eligible for re-appointment for another three-year term.
Ms. French is a retired City of Albuquerque Employee who spent over 30 years with the Albuquerque Police Department. During her tenure at the Police Department, she served as Records Supervisor and in her final two years with the City as the False Alarm Reduction Supervisor. Ms. French also served on the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico Board (PERA) for many years. She served four years as Chair of the Board. In addition to her service on the PERA Board, Ms. French has been involved in a wide range of community service activities which has included serving on the Rio Grande Credit Union Supervisory Committee, the Brookline College Criminal Justice Program Advisory Committee, First Vice President of the Retired Public Employees of New Mexico and President of American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFCME) Local 3022.
Known for her commitment to representing the working class, labor, teachers, veterans, the individuals who have paid their debt to society but are still not allowed to vote, Ms. French has served her community well. Ms. French is a leadership expert who has the experience of high-energy to take on challenges presented to her. Ms. French brings unique perspectives gained from her understanding of how policies are created at APD. She was trained to perform internal investigations and has done many through her years with APD. She believes that her knowledge and expertise in reviewing investigations and knowledge of what questions to ask and what to look for are invaluable to the committee.
Current Board Membership:
Name Term
Chantal Galloway 02/02/2022
Tara Armijo-Prewitt 02/02/2022
Vacant 02/02/2022
Dr. William J. Kass 02/02/2023
Douglas Mitchell 02/02/2023
Gionne Ralph 02/02/2023
Eric Olivas 02/02/2024
Eric Nixon 02/02/2024
Richard Johnson 02/02/2024
Per the Ordinance, the Board composition is to consist of nine at-large members who:
“broadly represent the diversity and demographics of the City by way of, including but not limited to, cultural, gender and geographic diversity; and who are representative of the stakeholders of the police oversight process, and who reside within the City of Albuquerque.” 9-4-1-5(A) ROA 1994.
Members serve two three-year terms. Per the Police Oversight Ordinance, Board members must also meet the following requirements:
(1) He or she must not have been employed by law enforcement for one year prior to appointment; and
(2) He or she must successfully pass a background check; and
(3) He or she must have a personal history lacking any pattern of unsubstantiated complaints against APD; and
(4) He or she must have a demonstrated ability to engage in mature, impartial decision making; and
(5) He or she must have a commitment to transparency and impartial decision making; and
(6) He or she must be a resident of the City of Albuquerque
Per Ordinance requirements for the Board’s composition, listed above, Council Staff recommends Ms. Patricia French be appointed to the Civilian Police Oversight Agency Board.