**Note: The video is part of related coverage on the subject.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina announced Friday the initial roles that National Guardsmen will fill while they are supporting officers in Albuquerque.
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APD said Medina met with the department’s leadership and the National Guard to narrow down the initial responsibility of guardsmen to the following three areas:
- 12 guardsmen will work with the Real Time Crime Center to expand and operate APD’s drone program
- 12 guardsmen will work with the Prisoner Transport Center to help evidence collection and other tasks that officers often delay officers from returning to the field for patrol
- 36 guardsmen will assist with scene security during critical incidents and investigations
“This assistance will have an immediate impact and allow our officers to do more proactive policing,” Chief Medina said in a news release. “We appreciate the National Guard and their willingness to help us keep Albuquerque safe.”
The New Mexico National Guard said it has already started training personnel for “Operation Zia Shield.” Between 60 and 70 guardsmen volunteered for the mission, and deployment will start in mid-May.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday that the New Mexico National Guard would be sent to Albuquerque in response to an emergency request from APD Chief Harold Medina, who cited rising violent juvenile crime and the fentanyl epidemic as issues that require immediate intervention.
While Medina acknowledged that crime is down, he said the city can still improve. The goal, Medina said, is to reduce crime from downtown east through the International District.