Mayor-elect retains APD Chief Schultz

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - As he campaigned for mayor Richard Berry criticized crime fighting under Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez's administration but apparently didn't hold the police chief responsible for that.

On Tuesday night Mayor-elect Berry announced that Albuquerque Police Department Chief Ray Schultz will be his police chief, too.

Based on Berry's campaign rhetoric there was speculation that the chief might find himself unemployed.

Berry was beaming as he announced Schultz will be staying although a few months ago campaign TV commercial said property crime was out of control.

“Property crime is up 9 percent in Albuquerque," Berry told KRQE News 13 in September. "Thirty-one thousand people including myself were the victims of property crime last year.

"We've got to do better.”

But at his news conference Tuesday night Berry declined to offer details when asked by News 13 about what will be changing within the department to make things better.

"On Dec. 1 I will take office, and at that point and time I will be able to sit down with my team," he said.

During the news conference Schultz said property crime is one of his top priorities. He declined to discuss his reaction to Berry's complaints during the mayoral campaign.

“What I look forward to is having the opportunity to sit down and talk to him about what we are doing for property crimes," Schultz said.

Berry has offered few specifics about what he'll do on any issue when he takes office next month.

News 13 also pressed Berry on what he expects from Schultz and his officers and when the public will hear something of substances about the new administration.

“I think I did this evening," Berry responded. "I have two deputy chiefs that are highly regarded. I have a chief of police that has a tremendous reputation.”

Schultz did say the department will be consolidating and working to streamline investigations.

The chief also said APD will be fielding a new computer system aimed at detecting crime before it happens by predicting likely targets.

The mayor-elect had previously named Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White to be his director of public safety overseeing police, fire and code-enforcement departments.

Earlier in the day Berry's office announced the position of APD Executive Director Joe Bowdich is being eliminated after Nov. 30 as a cost-cutting measure.

Bowdich served on the APD force for 34 years and spent nine years as Bernalillo County sheriff.

Bowdich has said he would consider running for the interim sheriff's position to replace White who is resigning effective Nov. 30 to join the Berry administration.