DOJ looking into IA; how does it work?

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Department of Justice has made it clear that it is investigating many parts of the Albuquerque Police Department.

One of those, the department's internal affairs investigation process. That's where cops are investigated for everything from abuse of force to missing court. But how does the process really work?

“The goal is not to be punitive but to correct action and make sure we make the employee a better employee,” said IA Lt. Mike Miller.

Miller heads up the Internal Affairs division. He and five sergeants are in charge of investigating other officer's actions.

“Internal Affairs is just a fact finding unit,” said Miller. “We don't make recommendations; we don't sustain charges, etc.”

The allegations handled by IA include misconduct, not following the rules, missing court, and of course shootings and cases of excessive force.

Once an IA case is opened, Miller assigns it, “We will identify issues and make sure there is not a conflict within the chain to make sure it gets investigated properly.”

IA will not recommend a punishment; instead it sends its findings up the chain of command.

“It will go to the affected employee's supervisor, the commander, he will review it, it goes to the deputy chief and then finally to the chief of police for the final discipline,” said Miller.

Miller said there is no limit on how many IAs an officer can have. There is a guide to decide how much punishment a cop should get based on what they did wrong but, “Often times the chief will overrule the DC or the commander and he has that authority.”

Out of the 218 IA investigations last year; 11 officers were fired and 7 quit before they could get canned.

The DOJ is delving into how the process works to see how internal affairs chooses and handles its cases, if the unit has real teeth, and if APD brass has too much influence over it.

“We have provided some information through the appropriate channels through the chief of police and the city attorney,” said Miller.

News 13 asked if APD hands out lighter or harsher punishments to its officers than other police departments, the lieutenant said they have no idea because they have not compared.

Miller says often times an IA investigation can expose criminal behavior. He says in those cases the chief assigns criminal investigators to take over the case.