PARAS. JULIAN. THANK YOU. IT’S BEEN NEARLY SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD WAS DEPLOYED TO HELP ADDRESS CRIME IN ALBUQUERQUE, AND THAT MISSION IS SET TO EXPIRE TODAY. THE CITY AND STATE REQUESTED THE GUARD TO SUPPORT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOME OF THE CITY’S MOST TROUBLED AREAS, INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. UNLIKE OTHER DEPLOYMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, GUARD MEMBERS IN ALBUQUERQUE PATROL IN POLO SHIRTS WITHOUT WEAPONS, AND THEY DO NOT MAKE ARRESTS. THEIR GOAL IS TO FREE UP POLICE OFFICERS TO FOCUS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT. APD CHIEF HAROLD MEDINA SPOKE WITH ABC’S MARTHA RADDATZ ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK. THOUGHT PROCESS WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD WAS WE WOULD GET THE NATIONAL GUARD TO TAKE TASKS THAT AN OFFICER WASN’T NEEDED FOR. AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE WERE DOWN ABOUT 30% IN HOMICIDES. AND WE’RE GOING T
APD: New Mexico National Guard to ‘wind down’ duties this week
Updated: 7:45 PM MST Dec 15, 2025
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On Dec. 15, Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos confirmed with KOAT, to “his understanding, the National Guard is winding down its duties in Albuquerque this week.” MORE: Governor authorizes National Guard to support Albuquerque Police DepartmentOn Monday, we reached out to the New Mexico National Guard on “what’s next” as we await their response. We’ve also asked Gallegos about “what’s next” as well, but we didn’t receive a response to that particular question. BackgroundOn April 8, 2025, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham authorized the deployment of New Mexico National Guard personnel to support the APD in response to ongoing public safety challenges in the city, particularly along the Central Avenue corridor and other specific areas.According to the governor’s office, the emergency request from APD cites the fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime as critical issues requiring immediate intervention. Additional support was also needed to maintain momentum in addressing these challenges.Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here
On Dec. 15, Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos confirmed with KOAT, to “his understanding, the National Guard is winding down its duties in Albuquerque this week.”
MORE: Governor authorizes National Guard to support Albuquerque Police Department
On Monday, we reached out to the New Mexico National Guard on “what’s next” as we await their response. We’ve also asked Gallegos about “what’s next” as well, but we didn’t receive a response to that particular question.
Background
On April 8, 2025, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham authorized the deployment of New Mexico National Guard personnel to support the APD in response to ongoing public safety challenges in the city, particularly along the Central Avenue corridor and other specific areas.
According to the governor’s office, the emergency request from APD cites the fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime as critical issues requiring immediate intervention. Additional support was also needed to maintain momentum in addressing these challenges.
Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here
