OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT ‘STATE OF NEW MEXICO. KARI E. BRANDENBURG DISTRICT ATTORNEY April 21, 2015 Hector Balderas, Attorney General NM Attomey General’s Office 111 Lomas Blvd NW, Ste. 300 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Re: Report of problems in certification process of some groups of cadets and offices at Albuquerque Police Academy Dear Attorney General Balderas: I write to you as the Chairman of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board. twas reported to me on April 17, 2015, that there may be serious problems with the certification of both cadets and sworn police officers for certain phases of training at the Albuquerque Police Academy since approximately late 2013. Some record of these issues has already been made through testimony at a recent APD disciplinary procedure in which a former officer appealed a disciplinary action imposed upon him when he attempted to call certification problems to the attention of the academy's officials and his own chain of command. While we do not have a copy of any written material relevant to this allegation, attomey Thomas Grover at (505) 695- 2050, can provide additional information to your office. As you are already very much aware, any defect in the certification of a law enforcement officer could call into question that officer’s authority to arrest, investigate, gain, and execute search and arrest warrants, and more. If a problem affects a number of officers, such as entire classes of cadets or serving officers for annual recertification, a defect in the proper certification of such officers could be destructive to existing cases and require immediate action by agencies involved. We are alerting you to this report as quickly as possible due to the important nature of this matter, and will provide any assistance which is appropriate and in our power to assist in investigating resolving whatever problems may exist. Juvenile Diviion 5100 Secor St. NW Main oftiee 520 Lomas Blvd. NW Metro Division 520 Lomas Bly. NW {S06} 22211160" Albuquerque, NMIB7107, (05) 222-1099 Alvuquorque, NM 8? 102 (505) 2221079 Aituqusrque, NM 87102 FAX! (605) 241-1460 FAX 1* Floor: 505) 241-1100, FAX: (605) 261-1000 FAX 2% Floor: (50) 281-1200 FAK Floor: (505) 261-1299At this point, it seems imperative to collect all the information as soon as possible and, ifalled for, to conduct an audit, but we defer to your best judgment. Because this issue is so eriticl and impacts our ethical responsibilities as prosecutors, please keep our office advised in this meler. Mery fly yours, es Brandenburg istrict Attorney CC: Blizabeth Martinez, Office of the United States Attorney Gregory J. Fouratt, Cabinet Secretary, Department of Public Safety Thomas Grover, Attomey at Law