The Albuquerque Police Department’s Chaplain Unit is experiencing significant growth and expansion, offering crucial support and guidance to both department employees and community members in crisis. Chief Harold Medina highlighted the importance of the unit, stating, “Our Chaplains are there when people are experiencing some of the worst moments in their life.”
Since its establishment in 1969 with eight volunteers, the Chaplain Unit has now expanded to 17 members, thanks to a successful recruitment drive in the fall of 2023. Unlike other units across the country, APD’s Chaplains provide round-the-clock support, accompanying officers to unattended death calls and assisting in hostile situations to defuse tensions effectively.
The Chaplains have also started meeting with police academy cadets early on to offer support and resources. Chief Medina expressed his satisfaction with the unit's growth, stating, “I’m glad our volunteer unit has more than doubled in size and is reaching more members of the department and those in our community during times of need.”
The Chaplain Unit operates on a volunteer basis, with funds raised through events like the annual NM Law Enforcement Memorial Bike Ride. These funds are channeled into the Chaplain’s Unit Fund, a 501c3 organization that provides financial assistance for medical needs, mortgages, funerals, and other unexpected expenses for those they support.
For more information on the Chaplain Unit and their services, interested individuals can visit the designated page for further details.