Harold Medina, chief of the Albuquerque Police Department, said during a budget hearing that deploying the National Guard without full City Council consultation was justified by his operational authority and the separation of powers.
"Respect goes two ways," said Medina, Police Chief. "That decision was not made in a silo. We had a plan in place where we were going to make phone calls."
According to the Washington Post, in April 2025, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham authorized the deployment of 60 to 70 National Guard members to Albuquerque. This decision followed a request from Police Chief Harold Medina to address rising crime rates and support the police department amid staffing shortages. These unarmed volunteers, dressed in civilian attire, will handle non-enforcement duties such as securing crime scenes and transporting detainees. This measure aims to allow officers to focus on critical issues like the fentanyl crisis and juvenile crime. The deployment is estimated to cost $750,000 and has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates who argue that funds would be better invested in public education and health programs.
AP News reports that the National Guard members deployed to Albuquerque will not be armed or involved in enforcement duties. Their roles include assisting with traffic control, securing crime scenes, and operating drones to support police operations. This deployment aims to alleviate the burden on the police department amid staffing shortages and rising crime rates.
The Washington Post also found that while the initiative aims to alleviate police staffing shortages by assigning Guardsmen to non-enforcement duties, civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about potential overreach. Daniel Williams of the ACLU of New Mexico cautioned that such measures could exacerbate mass incarceration and disproportionately impact low-income and homeless communities.
As per the City of Albuquerque, Medina is a first-generation college graduate with degrees in Biology and Criminology from UNM. He has served over two decades with the Albuquerque Police Department, rising through the ranks to become Chief in 2021. Known for his commitment to community policing and youth outreach, Medina previously led initiatives that significantly reduced underage drinking and property crime.
