Our Department

Harold Medina received a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Biology and Criminology through the college of Arts and Science from the University of New Mexico in 1994. He became a first-generation college student and graduated within four years. He continued his education, attending the Police School of Staff and Command with Northwestern University.

He believes in principles that are focused on community and law enforcement partnerships, problem solving, and transforming the department to help create a strong bond of trust with the community. Medina believes in strong customer service in order to create a program based on community policing. He introduced and developed several first-time programs that emphasized on outreach to local youth. He strongly believes in working with the community to educate and have an understanding of community-oriented policing.

In the winter of 2014, after serving 20 years of being a sworn officer, Medina retired from the Albuquerque Police Department as a Commander. He started his police career in November of 1995, when he graduated from the Albuquerque Police Academy. During his career, he was a patrol officer for 9 years. Medina was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 where he became involved with the Albuquerque Police Department Party Patrol. During his time with Party Patrol he focused on decreasing illegal sales to underage youth. This proactive approach brought compliance rates in the Albuquerque area up to 95%. He also focused on providing prevention and intervention education strategies to the local Albuquerque high school students. This included partnerships with the schools, teachers and laws enforcement with a focused presentation of alcohol awareness to students.

George Vega began his career with the Albuquerque Police Department in 1999, serving in both the Field Services Bureau and the Investigative Bureau. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008, where he led the Auto Theft and Gang Unit. In 2016, he advanced to lieutenant, overseeing operations within the Field Services Bureau.
After retiring from the department, Vega returned in 2022 to take on the role of Criminal Investigative Commander. He was promoted in 2023 to Deputy Chief of the Investigative Bureau, where he now leads complex investigations and drives initiatives to enhance law enforcement capabilities across the city.

Cecily Barker was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. After attending college out of state, she returned to Albuquerque and joined the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004.

After graduating the police academy, Deputy Chief Barker served in the Field Services Bureau from 2004-2012. During that time, she held  collateral duties of Gang Suppression Officer, Crisis Intervention Officer and Field Training Officer. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 where she served in the Field Services Bureau and later in the Violent Crimes Division as the FASTT, Missing Person and Cold Case Sergeant. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017. As a Lieutenant, Deputy Chief Barker served in the Juvenile/Property Crime Division and the Criminalistics Division. She was promoted to Commander in 2020 and served as the Northwest Area Commander and later as the Chief of Staff.  In 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Investigative Bureau where she lead the Criminal Investigations Division, Investigative Services Division and the Scientific Evidence Division. In October of 2023, Deputy Chief Barker took over the Field Services Bureau where she currently oversees the departments 6 Area Commands.

Deputy Chief Barker has an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and  a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Administration. She is also a graduate from Police Executive Leadership Institute- PELI IX and the Police Executive Training Program.

Deputy Chief Griego began his law enforcement career with the United States Army Military Police. After his tour of service, he spent 11 years with a police department in Texas before joining the Albuquerque Police Department in September of 1997 as a member of the 5^th Lateral Cadet Class. 

Most of his career in Field Services has been in the Southeast area command. In addition, he has served as Sergeant for the Field Services Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. J.J. later served as Lieutenant for Field Services and the Police Academy. He served three years as Commander of the Southeast Area Command and was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2019.

J.J. is nationally recognized in the area of Law Enforcement Technology and Criminal Justice Information Systems and presents regularly on the subject including being a featured speaker at the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

J.J. Serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Technology Committee, is a member of the National Emergency Number Association and International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners.

J.J. is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, The Law Enforcement Leadership Command College of Texas, The International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations, and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development program.

J.J. is currently the Deputy Chief of Support Services where he oversees the Real Time Crime Center, Emergency Communications Center, APD Records Division, Airport Division and Fiscal Division.

Deputy Chief Josh Brown graduated from APD’s 82^nd Cadet Class in 2000. During his career he has served in the Field Services Bureau, the K9 Unit, and with the SWAT Team.

He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2014 where he supervised the Albuquerque Police Department Auto Theft Unit. In 2018 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he oversaw Albuquerque Police Department Property Crimes Section. Deputy Chief Brown had been serving as the Commander of the Valley Area Command, prior to being appointed Deputy Chief in 2021.

Deputy Chief Brown currently oversees the Special Operations Bureau.

DC Brown is a native New Mexican. He attended the University of New Mexico where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminology.