For nearly five years, taxpayers have paid $133,000 a month to an independent monitor after the Department of Justice found a pattern of use of excessive force within the Albuquerque Police Department.Now, five years later, at least one city leader is concerned about more than the millions of dollars the city has had to spend on the monitor. "When you've got more officers investigating officers than you have officers investigating crimes, I think it becomes problematic," said Albuquerque City Councilor Ken Sanchez. Sanchez said he's been taking a look at staffing within the Albuquerque Police Department.He found that 61 officers are assigned to investigate other police officers to make sure they're complying with Department of Justice guidelines. There are just six officers in the Crimes Against Children Unit, six officers in the Gang Unit and 5 officers in the Narcotics Unit, he said. We did reach out to Dr. James Ginger, the independent monitor, who does not live in Albuquerque. He declined an interview, saying there were issues he could not discuss. As for all the money taxpayers are paying him, Ginger said that goes to fund things like travel, his staff of nine, and writing reports. Sanchez said there is a another court hearing with Ginger later this month. It will be up to the courts to decide when APD no longer needs a monitor.

For nearly five years, taxpayers have paid $133,000 a month to an independent monitor after the Department of Justice found a pattern of use of excessive force within the Albuquerque Police Department.



Now, five years later, at least one city leader is concerned about more than the millions of dollars the city has had to spend on the monitor.


"When you've got more officers investigating officers than you have officers investigating crimes, I think it becomes problematic," said Albuquerque City Councilor Ken Sanchez.

Sanchez said he's been taking a look at staffing within the Albuquerque Police Department.

He found that 61 officers are assigned to investigate other police officers to make sure they're complying with Department of Justice guidelines.

There are just six officers in the Crimes Against Children Unit, six officers in the Gang Unit and 5 officers in the Narcotics Unit, he said.

We did reach out to Dr. James Ginger, the independent monitor, who does not live in Albuquerque. He declined an interview, saying there were issues he could not discuss.

As for all the money taxpayers are paying him, Ginger said that goes to fund things like travel, his staff of nine, and writing reports.

Sanchez said there is a another court hearing with Ginger later this month. It will be up to the courts to decide when APD no longer needs a monitor.