Update: Geier Files Against License of APD's Former Internal Affairs Commander; Says Filing a Fo
Updated at 4:28 p.m. APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told ABQReport by email that Geier is not trying to get Lt. Jennifer Garcia's law enforcement license revoked. He said Geier filed the LEA-90 on Garcia because he was required to do so and because he was required to notify the NMLEA of the disciplinary action he took against Garcia.
Here is Gallegos' statement: "The chief was required to send the LEA-90 to report the discipline action he took. It does not mean he is trying to pull her certification. He is not recommending any further action."
Gallegos also said that he provided ABQReport a complete copy of the LEA-90
Albuquerque Police Chief Mike Geier has moved to revoke the law enforcement license of the former head of APD's Internal Affairs unit.
Geier filed the paperwork, known as an LEA-90, against Lt. Jennifer Garcia on Aug. 9 with the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos provided ABQReport a copy of the filing.
In the filing, Geier gave a bit more detail as to why Garcia was demoted earlier this month, and why APD launched an internal investigation against her in late February. Garcia was found to have backdated an IA investigation to make it look like it had been completed on time as required by the department's contract with the Albuquerque Police Officers Association. Here's what Geier's LEA-90 against Garcia said:”
“Acting Commander Garcia was in command of the Internal Affairs Misconduct Unit at the time of this incident. Internal investigations are required to be completed within the time established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Jennifer Garcia signed approval on a completed case 3 days after the deadline, but backdated the paperwork to be in compliance with the CBA … The investigation, by preponderance of the evidence, found that acting Commander Garcia violated department policy.”
The NMLEA will investigate the allegations against Garcia, who will have an opportunity to refute Geier's allegations. The NMLEA can permanently revoke Garcia's law enforcement license, or suspend it, or merely reprimand the lieutenant.
The investigation into Garcia began in late February or early March after the APOA complained that Garcia had backdated an investigative report. The city transferred Garcia to the Traffic Division in March and hired an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Earlier this month, Geier demoted Garcia to lieutenant and assigned her to the Field Services Bureau.