With increased scrutiny, new systems of oversight, and communities demanding accountability, as well as economic pressures, many police are not going to be able to change with the times.
Investigations of potential violations of overtime practices have been initiated in some places. In New Mexico, the State Auditor, the State AG and the Mayor have opened probes into abuse in overtime for potential fraud.
The State Auditor, Brian Colon, said about his cooperation with. the AG:
“Together, we intend to determine what is really happening at the Albuquerque Police Department. We will collaborate, bringing our respective strengths and skills to this investigation, to ensure no stone is left unturned.”
Colón said the city hasn't acted swiftly and transparently, despite calls from its own Civilian Police Oversight Agency to take action. “The city of Albuquerque has continually failed to hold APD accountable,” Colón said.
“We are not investigating just one transaction or just one individual,” Colon said. “In fact, we are going to be evaluating the process, procedures, protocols and oversight to ensure there is not any abuse in the system.”
“After a long history of poor department oversight and accounting practices, they capped overtime and cut costs last year by $1 million,” the Mayor's spokesman Matt Ross said. “We appreciate the auditors for stepping up to help the internal affairs investigations and hope they can highlight needed process changes to continue fixing this broken system.”
The Civilian Police Oversight Agency for Albuquerque claimed that Officer Simon Drobik was frequently on TV as APD’s public information officer for years violated policies more than 50 times by getting paid both as a spokesperson and working the "chief’s overtime" at local businesses, making more than $192,000 in 2018. Drobik announced his retirement before the APD internal audit could be completed and just before the announcement of the State Auditor ordering a fraud investigation.
There were a couple of days when Drobik billed the city—meaning taxpayers—for more than 24 hours of work in a day. Both Civilian Police Oversight Agency and the Police Oversight Board recommended that APD Chief Mike Geier fire Drobik. But the Chief of Police ignored the recommendations and imposed no discipline against Drobik.
Albuquerque PD is under a consent decree for excessive use of force with the final straw being the killing of a homeless man with mental illness. Videos from police lapel cameras were viewed nationally.
