Our Department
How can you reach ACS?
- For emergencies and crises, call 911 for an ACS response.
- For non-emergencies or next-day follow-ups, call 311.
Our Mission
To provide Albuquerque with a holistic, empathetic, and informed response to behavioral and mental health-related 911 calls. Responses are personalized to the needs of the individual, family, and community so that ACS can bring the right response at the right time.
Our Vision
A city in which any person can call for help and get a purposeful, humane, and appropriate response.
Our Values
WE CARE
Well-being and safety
- Take every measure possible to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents of our City
Empathy
- Take the time to listen to others and recognize their unique experience
Community at the center
- Put community and partners at the center of all we do
Accountability
- Have the courage to learn from mistakes
Respect and dignity
- Meet people where they are, and treat them how they want to be treated
Equity
- Lift the voices of all people in our community
ACS Leadership
Director, Jodie Esquibel
Jodie Esquibel brings an exceptional background in emergency response spanning over two decades. As a highly motivated paramedic, she has garnered extensive experience in emergency medical services, community medicine, tactical medicine, and search and rescue operations.
Throughout her career, Jodie has showcased outstanding leadership, successfully building and managing programs that have significantly impacted the communities she's served. Her expertise in de-escalation techniques has been pivotal in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace in diverse, high-stress situations.
Not only a seasoned professional in her field, but Jodie is also a professional athlete and a business owner, exemplifying discipline and dedication in all her endeavors. Born and raised in Albuquerque, her deep empathy for the community drives her commitment to serve.
Jodie is honored to join our team with a mission close to her heart and is eager to collaborate and contribute to our community's safety.
Deputy Director of Field Operations, Walter Adams
Walter Adams is a dedicated leader at the Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS), where he serves as the Deputy Director of Field Operations. Since joining ACS as one of the first five Responders, Walter has exemplified commitment and excellence in his mission to serve the community. His journey began in an entry-level position as a Behavioral Health Responder, where his hard work and determination quickly propelled him through the ranks to become the Mental and Behavioral Health Division Manager.
A native of Las Vegas, New Mexico, Walter graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western New Mexico University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. His diverse background in mental health and criminal justice equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by our community. Before joining ACS, he honed his skills as the Program Manager of the Behavioral Health Courts at Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Court.
In his current role, Walter leads strategic operations, manages stakeholder engagement, and directs field teams to enhance community impact. With over 12 years of experience in social service systems, he is deeply committed to effective crisis management, team leadership, and policy development. Walter's unwavering dedication to serving the most vulnerable populations reflects his passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves.
Walter is not only a leader within ACS but also a trusted advocate for our community, guiding his team with the insight and dedication that has characterized his career from the very beginning.
Deputy Director of Policy and Administration, Jeffery Bustamante
Jeffery Bustamante previously served as the ACS Division Manager for Organizational Growth and Community Relations. In this position, he showed his expertise by successfully streamlining our financial and grant processes. Jeffery also helped strengthen our partnerships with the community, while building new and lasting partnerships. Through his previous work, Jeffery has supported the growth of new organizations by serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange. He also served as Scheduler & Constituent Services Liaison for former United States Representative Ben Ray Luján, and held a similar role with United States Senator Jeff Bingaman.
Jeffery is completing his Ph.D. in Nursing & Health Innovation at Arizona State University. He holds a Master’s Degree in Health Innovation and a Bachelor of Political Science from the University of New Mexico.
Deputy Director of Violence Prevention and Intervention, Jasmine Desiderio
Jasmine Desiderio is the Deputy Director of Violence Prevention and Intervention and will oversee key ACS programs such as our Violence Intervention Program and Community-Oriented Response & Assistance. She previously served as the Project Director of a Native American Youth Suicide Prevention program, where her roles included strategic action planning, policymaking, program development and evaluation, community outreach and engagement, data surveillance, grant administration and training facilitation.
Desiderio brings eight years of experience in coordinating multidisciplinary, interservice and interagency teams to strategically design and implement injury prevention services ranging from crisis intervention, suicide prevention and postvention programs in northwestern New Mexico. She is currently in the Organization, Information and Learning Sciences Ph.D. program at the University of New Mexico. Her research interest focuses on applying innovative methods of human performance technology, organizational development, and evaluation research to address adversities amongst marginalized populations. Desiderio holds a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and Guidance from New Mexico Highlands University, and a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Criminology from the University of New Mexico.