"The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is one of the only law enforcement agencies of size in the state of New Mexico that has yet to equip their field officers with body-worn cameras to record interactions with the public. These recording devices have become standard equipment for most law enforcement agencies in the United States, with 58% reporting their use by 2018. Benefits of the technology include greater transparency in incidents where officers use force, increased accountability, quicker resolution of citizen complaints, and the ability to collect data for training purposes."  ACLU NM 

On October 15, 2019 the Bernalillo County Commissioners voted for and approved an administrative resolution recommending the BCSO and the Board work together to implement a plan for the use of dash and lapel cameras for BCSO field personnel.  The recommendation can not force BCSO Sheriff, Manny Gonzales, to implement the cameras but, it does set aside $3.5 million dollars over 4 years to pay for the cameras.  Despite pressure from county residents, the commission, and the press, Sheriff Gonzales has remained resolute in his refusal to implement body cameras.  

Of the four people shot at by BCSO deputies in 2019, one was killed, one person was injured, and two were not hit.  Elisha Lucero, the person who was killed, was shot 21 times and died at the scene.  Deputies responding to a misdemeanor battery call said she ran at them with a knife, screaming.   Her family said Lucero, 28 had a mental illness, and they, along with the ACLU, have been rallying for lapel cameras, or at least dashboard cameras. Less than 2 months after a suit was filed by the woman's family a $4 million dollar settlement was reached.  The family is donating $200,000 of the settlement to the ACLU of New Mexico to fight for legislation that would require law enforcement across the state to wear body-worn cameras. 

In wake of the May 25 killing of George Floyd, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her intent to appoint a racial justice czar within the Governor’s Office and an advisory Council for Racial Justice to monitor state institutions and hold them accountable for ending systemic racism and assuring that all persons receive fair and equal treatment and opportunities.  This should include making sure the BCSO, along with other police departments throughout New Mexico, wear body-worn cameras and require that the camera be turned on immediately when officers respond to a police call.  

Please consider signing this petition to send a message to Governor Lujan-Grisham in support of body cameras for Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and all police throughout New Mexico.