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Albuquerque Mayor Unveils Police Reforms

Andy Lyman

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry is asking the U.S. Justice Department to complete its investigation of the city's troubled police department and help officials develop a reform plan.

Berry said he wrote a letter Wednesday asking the department to expedite its review and begin negotiations with the city.

While defending other reforms made in recent years, the mayor called the fatal March police shooting of a homeless man "a game changer." He says the city needs to make changes soon. A publicly released video of that shooting sparked a 12-hour protest by hundreds of angry residents Sunday.

Berry also detailed a number of proposed reforms that he and new Police Chief Gorden Eden want to implement, including hiring a fourth deputy chief to oversee DOJ reforms, improved officer training and mental health awareness.