New Mexico in Focus talks with Albuquerque’s new public safety leaders

This week, New Mexico in Focus takes a deep dive into new public safety leadership at the City of Albuquerque. Police Chief Cecily Barker talks about her 20-year career with the Albuquerque Police Department and how she differs from the previous chief, Harold Medina.

NMiF also talks with Public Safety Director Raul Bujanda talks about coordination between Albuquerque's police, fire and community safety departments. Additionally, Daniel Williams, a policy advocate with ACLU of New Mexico, gives his thoughts on the city's new leaders.

• Late last month, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller appointed Cecily Barker as his new police chief. Barker has spent more than 20 years on the force, has served several months as interim chief and is the first woman to hold the position. Host Nash Jones spoke with Barker about her path to the top spot. Later, Barker explains how she plans to win back the public's trust in the city's police department.
• Keller also named Raul Bujanda to be the city's public safety director. Bujanda talks with Nash about the resurrected role and how his experience as an FBI agent will inform his work. Then, Bujanda breaks down why it's important for Albuquerque's police, fire and community safety departments to better coordinate their work.
• For years, the New Mexico affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union has kept a close eye on the Albuquerque Police Department. Now 11 months out from federal oversight of the department ending, policy advocate Daniel Williams sat down with Executive Producer Jeff Proctor to discuss how new leadership could help uphold recent reforms.

NMiF airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 at 7 a.m. and streaming on the PBS video app. Involved, informed, in-depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online shortly thereafter.

Host
Nash Jones

NMiF Segments
Cecily Barker Appointed New Albuquerque Police Chief
and
APD Chief Barker on Winning Back Public Support for Police

Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guest
Cecily Barker, Albuquerque Police Chief appointee

Raul Bujanda Named New ABQ Public Safety Director
and
New ABQ Director Oversees Police, Community Safety and Fire Departments

Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guest
Raul Bujanda, Albuquerque Public Safety director appointee

ACLU of NM Weighs in on New Public Safety Leaders
Correspondent
Jeff Proctor

Guest
Daniel Williams, policy advisor, ACLU of New Mexico

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, educational, and art issues, exploring them in depth with a critical eye to provide context beyond the "news of the moment."

NMPBS Executive Producer, Public Affairs is Jeff Proctor. New Mexico in Focus's senior producer for public affairs is Lou DiVizio. Host and producer of New Mexico in Focus is Nash Jones. Producer is Antonio Sanchez. Multimedia journalist is Cailley Chella.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and Viewers Like You. Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund. Funding for Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present & Future is provided in part by the Neeper Natural History Programming.