CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SEVENTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. P-26-1 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Joaqu?n Baca and Nichole Rogers
CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL
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Adopting A Proposition To Be Sent To The Voters At The 2026 General Election; Proposing To Amend The Charter To Require Appointment And Confirmation Of The Director Of Albuquerque Community Safety ("ACS") And Designating The Position As "ACS Chief" (Baca and Rogers)
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WHEREAS, the Albuquerque Community Safety Department ("ACS") is a public safety department that responds to behavioral health, homelessness, and other community safety calls and plays a critical role in the City's coordinated emergency response system alongside the Albuquerque Police Department and Albuquerque Fire Rescue; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Albuquerque Community Safety exercises authority over personnel, manages substantial public resources, establishes operational policies, and is entrusted with responsibilities that directly impact the health, safety, and welfare of the public; and
WHEREAS, the Police Chief and Fire Chief are subject to appointment with the advice and consent of the Council and are required to enter into employment agreements that expire at the conclusion of the Mayor's term, reflecting the significant public safety responsibilities and policy-making authority inherent in those positions; and
WHEREAS, ensuring that the Director of Albuquerque Community Safety is considered a "Chief" and appointed, confirmed, and subject to employment terms consistent with other public safety chiefs promotes transparency, accountability, parity in governance, and continuity of leadership within the City's public safety framework; and
WHEREAS, amending the Charter to expressly include the Director of Albuquerque Community Safety among those public safety chiefs requiring Council confirmation and employment agreements tied to the Mayor's term will cl...
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