FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2016
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
District Attorneys and the Attorney General meet for preliminary discussions with an eye toward improving transparency and consistency
Santa Fe, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas and a subcommittee of district attorneys jointly announced that they are working together to develop a procedure for handling the prosecution of officer involved shooting cases in New Mexico. The group will continue to meet regularly to create a process for determining how these types of cases will be handled in the future.
“It’s critical for the district attorneys and my office to work in collaboration to develop a system of justice that serves all parties,” said Attorney General Balderas. “It’s our joint responsibility to develop a process that is transparent, timely, and promotes uniform accountability, while also addressing the budgetary challenges our respective offices face.”
“It is time that we address policies and procedures at a statewide level,” said District Attorney Rick Tedrow, president of the New Mexico District Attorney’s Association. “We look very much forward to having the opportunity to engage new and veteran district attorneys across the state on this important issue. It is imperative that we are able to provide the public with information through all stages of these investigations and are grateful to the Office of the Attorney General for its willingness and eagerness to join us in these discussions.”
Attorney General Balderas and district attorneys will, as part of their plan, propose a joint legislative solution during the 2017 legislative session which will include adequate funding for all officer-involved shootings, including those where independent prosecutors are necessary.
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