Police oversight group blasts APD

An oversight group is accusing Albuquerque Police of making a very illegal arrest and they've posted the video online to prove their point.

The group 'Police Complaints of Albuquerque' claims the man was arrested for openly carrying a gun which is legal in New Mexico, but the department says the group isn't telling the whole story.

The video surfaced on YouTube last week and so far it has had more than 460 views.

This is the groups claim: "Albuquerque Police recently arrested and charged a man who was apparently doing nothing more than carrying a firearm."

In their story the group uses arresting officer's lapel camera video to highlight the case. It shows the arrest and the gun, a high powered assault rifle, that caused all the commotion.

The unidentified man was arrested at the intersection of Central and San Pedro in August. Police Complaints did not release his name to protect his privacy.

 

APD said someone called, concerned about the man with a gun in the high crime neighborhood because they were scared.

News 13 called APD and asked about the group's claims. Department heads were unable to speak on camera so far, but a spokesperson said when they get a similar call they have no choice but to question the person to make sure they're carrying the gun legally.

APD pointed out that Police Complaints is a national group that focuses on this type of oversight and believes the man provoked the officers.

In the video the man has one statement for police. "It's not against for me to have weapons," he told them.

"This led to a citizen being arrested for exercising his second amendment rights simply because someone else didn't like the look of it," argued the group.

APD told News 13 there is more to the story, and that the man was arrested for concealing his identity, not for carrying the weapon. A criminal complaint posted on the group's website, states the man "refused to give his information."

The story then goes on to name the six officers involved in the case and points out that one of them calls the man stupid.

It takes a turn when they point out that officer was recently put on desk duty after his wife was arrested for allegedly selling guns to an accused killer. That case is still under investigation.