APD releases 2022 Use of Force Report

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released its 2022 Use of Force report that includes analysis of 626 force interactions involving officers last year.

The preliminary report can be found on APD’s web site. The report reflects an annual decreasing trend in force interactions. There was an 18% decline in the number of force interactions between 2021 and 2022. Force interactions declined 35% since 2020.

Out of those 626 force interactions last year, 26, or 4%, were determined to be out of policy.

APD identifies three categories of force used by officers.

• Level 1 is the lowest level and is likely to cause only transitory pain, disorientation, and/or discomfort during its application as a means of gaining compliance. 26% of force interactions in 2022 were considered Level 1.
• Level 2 is force that causes injury, could reasonably be expected to cause injury, or results in a complaint of injury. 57% of force interactions in 2022 were considered Level 2.
• Level 3 is force that results in, or could reasonably result in, serious physical injury, hospitalization, or death. 17% of force interactions in 2022 were considered Level 3.

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