Introduction
In April of this year, a tragic incident unfolded outside a Walmart in Northeast Albuquerque, where a confrontation between Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers and a suspect ended in the suspect’s death.
The aftermath of this fatal encounter has sparked controversy, as body camera footage obtained by News 13 reveals disturbing conversations among the responding officers. The footage shows officers using racial slurs, making inappropriate remarks, and glorifying violence, leading to an ongoing internal investigation by the APD.
The Incident
The incident occurred near the Walmart located at Wyoming and Menaul in Albuquerque, where officers were responding to reports of a suspected pair of robbers. One of the individuals involved was later identified as 30-year-old Mark Benavidez.
According to the footage, attempts to detain Benavidez escalated when he managed to take an officer’s rifle and fired multiple shots into the ground. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, leading to Benavidez being shot and killed by the officers on the scene.
Disturbing Conversations Captured
Following the shooting, body camera footage captured APD officers engaging in conversations that have since been widely criticized. The officers, seemingly unaware that their cameras were still recording, made several alarming statements. In one of the more troubling exchanges, an officer expressed his preference for violent encounters, stating, “I like violent encounters with violent people.
That’s why I became a cop. I didn’t come to help old ladies who can’t cross the road. I want to take actual heads that are actually doing stuff off the street.” The identity of the officer making these comments remains unclear.
Use of Racial Slurs
The body camera footage also captured the officers using racial slurs during their conversation. In one instance, they referred to individuals as “savages,” although the context of this remark remains ambiguous. Additionally, the officers made derogatory comments about Native Americans, with one officer discussing his son dating a Native American woman from Isleta and making a disparaging remark about the situation.
Concerns Over Public Perception
Towards the end of the video, one of the officers acknowledged the potential negative public perception of the incident, particularly given that the suspect, Benavidez, was a person of color. The officer stated, “The situation could have looked worse to the public eye… over here was that he was black—literally. Just cause the optics of it.” This statement highlights the officers’ awareness of how their actions could be perceived by the public, further fueling concerns about the handling of the situation.
Ongoing Investigation
The APD has launched an internal investigation into the incident and the officers’ conduct captured on the body camera footage. However, the department has declined to provide additional comments or conduct interviews while the investigation is ongoing.
The lack of transparency has raised questions and concerns within the community, with many calling for accountability and a thorough examination of the officers’ behavior.
Conclusion
The body camera footage from the April incident has brought to light serious issues within the APD, including the use of racial slurs, inappropriate remarks, and the glorification of violence by officers in the line of duty.
As the internal investigation continues, the community and the public at large are left to grapple with the implications of these revelations and the broader impact on trust in law enforcement. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched, as it may have significant repercussions for the officers involved and the department as a whole.
