Top officials of police union resign

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The president and vice president of the Albuquerque police union resigned Tuesday in the wake of controversy of payments to officers involved in shootings and a pending audit.

Police Chief Ray Schultz's office confirmed to KRQE News 13 that Albuquerque Police Officers Association President Joey Sigala and Vice President Felipe Garcia had resigned their positions and requested reassignment within the department.

The resignations came after a union meeting Tuesday morning.

Attempts by KRQE News 13 to contact Sigala have been unsuccessful.  Garcia says he will comment on the matter Thursday.  That's when the union board will meet again to appoint an interim president. 

The APOA has been under fire for making payments of up to $500 to officers involved in shootings and other crisis situations.  Sigala defended the payments as a legitimate way to help officers get away for a few days to decompress after stress-inducing events.

Members of the APOA have also requested an audit of union finances and question spending by Sigala and Garcia.