Department Overview
The Right Response at the Right Time
The Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) is reshaping how Albuquerque responds to behavioral health crises, homelessness, and quality-of-life concerns.
When residents call 9-1-1, dispatchers assess the situation and send ACS responders to calls that don’t require police or fire. By focusing on non-criminal and non-medical emergencies, ACS ensures residents receive the right response at the right time. This approach complements the work of police and fire, freeing them to address emergencies requiring their expertise while ACS provides focused care and connects residents to meaningful resources.
Our Guiding Principles
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.
Vision
A city in which any person can call for help and get a purposeful, humane, and appropriate response.
WE CARE Values
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
Reimagining Public Safety
Leading the Way in Alternative First Response
As the nation’s first cabinet-level alternative first response department, ACS leads a growing movement to rethink how cities address public safety. By diverting calls that don’t require police or fire, ACS brings innovative solutions to behavioral health, homelessness, and other crises, reducing strain on traditional responders.
Specialized Teams for Unique Challenges
ACS responders come from diverse professional backgrounds and are equipped through the ACS Academy with skills to de-escalate crises, provide emotional support, and connect individuals to services. This ensures that every call receives a compassionate, tailored response from trained professionals who understand the root causes of the challenges faced by residents.
A Model for the Nation
ACS is inspiring communities across the U.S., including Durham, Seattle, and Cincinnati, to adopt alternative first response models. Recognized by organizations like Georgetown University and the Council of State Governments, ACS demonstrates how a focused, compassionate approach can transform public safety for the better.
Learn more about ACS’s leadership in the national movement on our Thought Leadership page.
Our Impact
Since its launch, ACS has transformed how Albuquerque approaches public safety. By providing specialized responses to behavioral health and quality-of-life concerns, ACS has:
- Diverted non-criminal, non-medical calls from police and fire.
- Strengthened trust between residents and first responders.
- Helped thousands of residents access long-term support.
These achievements reflect ACS’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer, healthier Albuquerque. Learn more about ACS’s evolution on our Department History page or explore detailed reports and performance data on our Transparency page.