City provides deep dive into Metro Warrant Backlog

Jan. 30, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – Earlier this month, Mayor Tim Keller and Chief Harold Medina announced a multi-agency proposal to fund overtime operations and tackle the metro warrant backlog. Today, they were joined by members of APD leadership to provide an in-depth look at the felony warrant backlog.

APD’s command staff examined the nearly 5,000 outstanding felony warrants and will prioritize making arrests for those that are violent, recent, and perpetual offenders. There are 800 felonies that meet those qualifications, including individuals wanted for Homicide, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping or Aggravated Assault. These 800 violent criminals are drivers of crime who need to be held accountable. 

“Addressing the warrant backlog head on will have an immediate impact on crime in our city, improving the quality of life for our community,” said Chief Harold Medina. “We are specifically targeting drivers of crime who have recently offended and are of a violent nature, putting the public at risk on a daily basis.”

APD is working closely with its partners at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Office to make more felony arrests. 

“Clearing the warrant backlog is the number one thing we can do right away to make our streets safer,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We need to send a clear message to repeat, violent offenders: Commit a crime in Albuquerque, you will be arrested.”

There will be 16 investigative teams within APD who will assess backlog on a bi-weekly basis to see if any modifications need to be made. The goal is to clear at least 16 warrants a week. The department has also been in frequent discussions with the courts and the jail to plan self-surrender days, providing individuals with outstanding warrants the option to turn themselves in.