Mayling Armijo, a mayoral candidate for Albuquerque, has said that the city's police staffing crisis is due to leadership failures rather than pay issues. She emphasized that the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) is the highest-paid department in the region during a podcast appearance.
"My perception is that it is a leadership issue—if you're having a hard time recruiting or building a team, then leadership is your challenge and you've got to fix it from the top," said Armijo, Candidate for Mayor. "APD is the highest paid police department in the region, so why aren't they flocking? People in the department talk or those who left say it's not worth the money or they can be a cop elsewhere without being micromanaged, so the first thing we'll need to do is change the leadership at APD. As a Navy veteran, I understand wearing a uniform and command structure; the objective is to hire a qualified police chief who understands my objectives as mayor and figures out how to get the desired end results without micromanaging."
Albuquerque is currently facing a persistent police staffing shortage. This situation persists even after federal oversight of APD ended, and as the city grapples with high crime rates and fentanyl-related violence. In May 2025, a federal judge dismissed the Court Approved Settlement Agreement, concluding over a decade of Department of Justice monitoring of APD’s use-of-force reforms. Around this time, APD sought National Guard support to fill vacancies, with Guard members assisting at crime scenes and in detainee transport to allow officers to focus on frontline duties. Armijo's comments align with this context, advocating for stronger leadership at APD instead of excuses for unfilled positions.
Recent reports highlight the severity of APD’s staffing challenges. According to one regional overview, APD is budgeted for 1,000 certified officers but faces over 100 vacancies, leaving approximately 11% of positions unfilled while Albuquerque remains New Mexico's largest and most crime-challenged city. City officials have implemented signing bonuses, recruiting campaigns, and academy classes; however, vacancy numbers remain high. This has led to reliance on overtime and National Guard assistance for support roles. Armijo argues that management culture and leadership at APD—not just compensation—are causing officers to leave.
Armijo notes that APD already offers competitive pay. Both city and media sources confirm that APD has one of the highest starting salaries in New Mexico and ranks near the top among Southwest metropolitan departments. Recent raises have increased cadet salaries to around $60,000 annually and patrol officer salaries above $63,000. Meanwhile, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has advertised higher pay for its deputies along with generous hiring bonuses but has achieved better recruiting results than APD. Armijo uses this comparison to argue that culture, micromanagement, and leadership are more significant factors than pay in attracting officers.
Mayling Armijo is a U.S. Navy veteran and current Navy Reserve lieutenant commander running for mayor of Albuquerque in the 2025 election. Her public biography highlights her previous roles as Sandoval County deputy manager and Bernalillo County director of economic development where she focused on job creation and small-business growth. Her campaign emphasizes her problem-solving approach towards crime, homelessness, and economic revitalization while claiming she has "helped produce more jobs than the current administration and every other candidate in this race." She frequently cites her military background and executive experience as evidence she can address APD staffing through clear expectations and accountable leadership.
