The search for Albuquerque’s new police chief ended Wednesday as Mayor Tim Keller announced that APD Interim Chief Mike Geier will stay on as chief permanently.
Nancy Koenigsberg said she thought the hiring process would take a bit longer. She’s with APD Forward, a coalition of groups that had voiced concern over the short timeframe for filling the position. But she said she thinks Geier is committed to the department.
"What I hope is that means he’s committed to this community and the reforms," Koenigsberb said.
Geier served on the police force in Albuquerque for 20 years and also as police chief in Rio Rancho. In a press release, Keller said Geier won out against 28 other candidates because of his knowledge of Albuquerque and his experience in the city.
APD is in the midst of implementing court-mandated reforms after the U.S. Department of Justice found a pattern of unconstitutional use of force and fatal force in the department.