ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Town of Albuquerque has been ordered to pay greater than $1 million in damages after a jury discovered that seven Albuquerque Police Division coaching officers have been retaliated against for reporting misconduct involving a cadet with household ties to division management, KRQE reported.
Every of the officers was awarded $155,000 in emotional damages by a Bernalillo County jury following a trial that centered on claims of nepotism and improper self-discipline, in accordance with the report. The case concerned Cadet Joshua Vega, son of a high-ranking APD deputy chief, who was accused of being untruthful with academy workers in 2023.
| POLICE RESEARCH: How 8-, 10- and 12-hour police shifts affect staffing and wellness
The officers reported that Vega lied about shaving his head, a requirement below academy guidelines. He was initially dismissed from the academy however reinstated a day later. The lawsuit claimed that the choice adopted a telephone name from his father to Police Chief Harold Medina.
Quickly after, the seven officers, six instructors and their sergeant, have been faraway from their academy positions and investigated for allegedly hazing Vega. Their legal professional, Shayne Huffman, mentioned the accusations stemmed from a longstanding follow generally known as a “smoke session,” the place cadets are required to carry out bodily coaching whereas a violation is addressed. Huffman mentioned Vega was requested to shave his head in entrance of the category as a part of that course of.
An inside investigation later discovered no proof of hazing. The officers, nonetheless, weren’t returned to their authentic roles, in accordance with the report.
Huffman known as the decision unprecedented and mentioned it sends a message in regards to the significance of defending staff who report misconduct.
“We should always encourage and incentivize individuals to have the braveness to return ahead,” he mentioned.
All seven officers stay employed with APD, as does Vega and his father.
In a press release, town of Albuquerque mentioned it could enchantment the decision and defended the investigation into the coaching workers’s conduct as applicable.
The trooper’s actions at Kyle Area throughout the Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks sport are below overview by the Workplace of Inspector Common
Half of the grant funding shall be distributed in 2026 to areas internet hosting FIFA World Cup video games, America 250 nationwide occasions and the 2028 Olympic Video games
Ok-9 Igo “made brief work of the fleeing suspect,” taking him down and permitting deputies to handcuff the suspect, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders mentioned
