Former APD commander: I'd be interested to know what was learned in this type of march

Undercover Albuquerque police officers were spotted at a march to stop police brutality, and their photos have been posted online.Hundreds marched down southeast Albuquerque streets Saturday, demanding an end to police brutality. In the crowd were several undercover officers.“I’m at a loss to explain the purpose, the need, the value in embedding an undercover officer (in this situation),” said retired Albuquerque Police Commander Nick Bakas.Mayor Richard Berry declined to comment on the decision to put the undercover officers at the gathering. The decision was consistent with U.S. Department of Justice recommendations, for the sole purpose of monitoring for public safety issues, said Albuquerque police Chief Gorden Eden. He said though the event was peaceful, previous events included an individual armed with an assault rife.Bakas said undercover officers are usually at events that attract people from out of town with an unknown agenda or may be violent.“I'd be interested to know what was gleaned or learned from embedding an undercover officer in this type of march,” said Bakas.Albuquerque Police Department said undercover officers are there to react and help out if anything were to happen. People took those officers pictures on Saturday, however, and protesters published them online.Bakas said this could compromise the officers’ ability to do their jobs, and puts their lives at risk.“If the individuals identity is now made public, he's now broadcast on the media, Internet, what have you, his effectiveness as an undercover officer has been compromised,” he said.Mobile users: Click HERE for Mike's full on-air report

Undercover Albuquerque police officers were spotted at a march to stop police brutality, and their photos have been posted online.

Hundreds marched down southeast Albuquerque streets Saturday, demanding an end to police brutality. In the crowd were several undercover officers.


“I’m at a loss to explain the purpose, the need, the value in embedding an undercover officer (in this situation),” said retired Albuquerque Police Commander Nick Bakas.

Mayor Richard Berry declined to comment on the decision to put the undercover officers at the gathering.

The decision was consistent with U.S. Department of Justice recommendations, for the sole purpose of monitoring for public safety issues, said Albuquerque police Chief Gorden Eden. He said though the event was peaceful, previous events included an individual armed with an assault rife.

Bakas said undercover officers are usually at events that attract people from out of town with an unknown agenda or may be violent.

“I'd be interested to know what was gleaned or learned from embedding an undercover officer in this type of march,” said Bakas.

Albuquerque Police Department said undercover officers are there to react and help out if anything were to happen. People took those officers pictures on Saturday, however, and protesters published them online.

Bakas said this could compromise the officers’ ability to do their jobs, and puts their lives at risk.

“If the individuals identity is now made public, he's now broadcast on the media, Internet, what have you, his effectiveness as an undercover officer has been compromised,” he said.

Mobile users: Click HERE for Mike's full on-air report