APD Appoints David Walker as Community Outreach and Reform Advisor

Dec. 3, 2020

Interim APD Chief Harold Medina announced the appointment of David Walker, a former law enforcement officer and current Pastor, to serve as a key liaison between the department and community on a range of issues including DOJ reform.

Pastor Walker, who presides over the Antioch Baptist Church in Albuquerque, will be APD’s community outreach liaison. He will share information about the department’s progress on several initiatives, including the Court-Approved Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Community policing requires constant engagement with a broad range of organizations and residents who have a stake in everything we do at APD,” Chief Medina said. “We started down this path when James Lewis served a similar role at the start of the administration. I am a big believer in partnerships, and I need someone like Mr. Walker to help us build bridges with the diverse communities we serve.”

Walker will help represent the city at meetings with the Civilian Police Oversight Board, Community Policing Councils, and other parties to the DOJ settlement. He will also attend community meetings with faith-based groups, neighborhood groups and other diverse community members.

Walker will meet regularly with Chief Medina about issues raised during the meetings, hearings and other events he attends.

“This is a pivotal moment for our reform and community engagement efforts, and Pastor Walker will play an important role in that work,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “His unique background as both a former law enforcement officer and as a current faith leader makes him the right person to serve in this important role with APD, held previously by James Lewis.
David will help the department face its unique challenges, and engage deeply with our community calling for change.”

Walker is a native New Mexican from Hobbs. He left New Mexico for some time while he worked as a deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office in Wichita Kansas.

Walker served on the force for nine years working patrol and crime prevention. He was later promoted to investigations. He then decided to move back to Albuquerque where he became a Pastor and has since resided for the last 21 years.

“This is an opportunity to help build trust and confidence between the Albuquerque Police Department and the community,” said Pastor David walker.
His first day will be December 4, when he attends a key court hearing related to the Settlement Agreement.