Strike Force agents punished, boss says

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Six police and civilian members of Albuquerque's Safe City Strike Force have been disciplined for bad behavior during investigations, the city's chief public safety officer has confirmed.

The six--four Albuquerque Police Department officers and two civilian investigators--were hit with suspensions and, in the case of the officers, transfers to other duties, Chief Public Safety Officer Pete Dinelli.

The strike force investigates reports of substandard conditions at residences and businesses and reviews 50-75 properties a week.

Dinelli said he put the six on leave two months ago pending an investigation into allegations they took distasteful photos of the team while working.

One investigator wore bunny ears for a photograph on Easter while another made sexual references in a picture. They also would sometimes take photos of an ace of spades playing card on the condemned property.

The employees said it was their calling card.

The highest ranking card in the deck has historically been known as a death card. It was common practice to leave the playing card on the bodies of those killed in war.

"Nothing illegal occurred," Dinelli told KRQE News 13. "This was all unprofessional conduct.

"It bordered on juvenile, and I thought that type on conduct will not and will never be tolerated."

After an independent review and Internal Affairs investigations, the six were placed on unpaid leave for a period of time. They are now back at work, but the officers have been moved to another department within APD.

The two civilian investigators were allowed to return to the strike force. However they will be retrained and be given monthly evaluations.

"I felt it's important to protect the integrity of the unit and make sure we demand complete and total professionalism," Dinelli said.

While the six were on leave, other detectives picked up the case loads.