Investigative Journalist Radley Balko, Election Analysis, APD Settlement

This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Gwyneth Doland interviews investigative journalist Radley Balko about his book “Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces.” Balko writes a popular blog for the Washington Post on the criminal justice system and civil liberties. In his book he traces the evolution of police forces across the country, starting with the creation of SWAT units in response to civil unrest in the 1960s all the way to a post-9/11 world where massive federal grants have allowed police departments to purchase military gear once reserved for soldiers. Balko offers important context for how police departments, including the Albuquerque Police Department, have reached a point where federal officials must intervene to reform departments and policies, especially regarding their use of force.

NMiF host Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel analyze this week’s elections, which saw the victory of Republican incumbents CD2 Representative Steve Pearce, Gov. Susana Martinez and Secretary of State Dianna Duran. Democrats won races for U.S. Senate, CD1 and CD3, Auditor, Treasurer and Attorney General races, while the Land Commissioner contest was still in a dead heat the day after the polls closed. And Republicans have taken control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in 62 years.

The Line also looks at the sweeping settlement agreement signed by the Albuquerque Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice last week. APD will overhaul a number of policies and practices in a variety of areas, including recruitment, training and use of force. The consent decree also calls for a new civilian oversight body, a use of force review board, and the creation of a mental health advisory committee to review department policies on responding to people with mental illness, such as James Boyd, who was shot by APD in a confrontation last spring in the Sandia Mountains foothills.

The Line also looks at the Virgin Galactic disaster in California last week and what it means for the New Mexico Spaceport, and the outcome from ballot questions on marijuana penalties and funding more mental health services.

Host: Gene Grant

Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland

Guests:
Radley Balko, Author, “Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces”

Line Guest Panelists:
Lonna Atkeson, UNM Political Science Professor
Julie Ann Grimm, Editor, Santa Fe Reporter
James Monteleone, Political Reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Steve Terrell, Political Reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican

The Producers of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS are Megan Kamerick and Floyd Vasquez. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.

Episode 817 for air November 7, 2014