Albuquerque –
On February 17th, 2024, Albuquerque Police Department Police Chief Harold Medina was on his way to a press conference with his wife when he observed an encampment on the side of the road. During that observation a fight broke out and shots were fired. Chief Medina wanted to escape the mayhem and sped southbound across the westbound lanes of Central, but when he reached the eastbound lanes, he slammed into a classic gold colored ’66 Ford Mustang. The Mustang was occupied by only one person who was on his way to a meet and great to show off his cool ride. The impact disabled both the Chief’s truck and the valuable classic Mustang in the intersection. The driver of the Mustang was transported to UNMH with life threatening permanent injuries. Chief Medina’s F-150 police upfitted truck was totaled in the crash and it left him without a vehicle for the interim.
Since the crash, ABQ RAW was at a few events and noticed Chief Medina driving around in a brand spanking new 2024 Ford Expedition Timberline Edition. We submitted a records request with the city in July inquiring the cost of the vehicle and the upfitting of police equipment. The city released the contracts on August 12th, 2024.
PATREON MEMBERS CAN SEE THE CONTRACTS HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/apd-police-chief-109989102
On August 12th, 2024, ABQ RAW received detailed records of the cost of the 2024 Ford Expedition Timberline Edition and the upfitting (Police after market) costs. The records show that on April 5th, 2024, the Albuquerque Police Department initiated the need for a new replacement vehicle for the Chief with a interoffice memorandum and it stated that Operations Review Division obtained a quote for 1 Ford Expedition for $82,135.00. There was a separate quote for the upfitting of the Expedition to put police equipment into it for another $8,065.00. A grand total of $90,200.00 was quickly allocated for the 4X4 Special Edition Timberline Edition Ford Expedition. The City of Albuquerque did not have to pay taxes on the purchase and saved over $6,000.
The memo stated they need a vehicle to transport numerous members of the Albuquerque Police Department to many department-related functions. It cited the partnerships with other police agencies and such events as the Legislative Session in Santa Fe, N.M.
It should be noted that when we attend various events that the Chief and other staff are at, they typically take their own vehicles to the events. The Chief never chauffeurs around numerous other personnel. Chief Medina and his personal driver bodyguard APD commander Mike Hernandez are typically the only two who drive to events in the same vehicle. Ford states on it’s website the Timberline can hold up to 8 people.
The invoice for the 2024 Ford Expedition has quite the add-ons:
Power adjustable pedals Timberline Trim Level: $18,000.00
Four Wheel Drive: $3,980.00
Power Panoramic Sunroof: $1,675.00
Third Row Seat Package: $1,005.00
Floor Covering, carpet with mats: $3,800.00
Tow Package: $1,970.00
In the invoice, it showed what all police agencies in New Mexico pay for vehicles that would be used for police work. A two wheel-drive Ford Expedition would cost $52,450 without the outfitting costs added. A truck Chief Medina had before the crash would have cost $46,245. A patrolman’s Ford Explorer Interceptor is $48,935. These prices are without the additional costs of upfitting the vehicles for police use. Those additional costs can range from $8,000 and on up for the various equipment added.
We reached out to long time administration critic District 1 City Councilor Louie Sanchez and he told us:
“Chief Medina’s failures know no boundaries. First he broke police protocol by fleeing from his duties as a sworn police officer and caused permanent injuries to a citizen. Now he rewards himself with a luxury car paid for by tax dollars. It is this type of “do as I say and not as I do” mismanagement that we cannot recruit more officers. His refusal to enforce laws on the books is why the criminals are taking over. He is either completely tone deaf or thumbing his nose at the people of Albuquerque. Either way, we deserve better”.
It is unclear what things Chief Medina may be towing to a once a year Legislative Session or community event for APD. It is also unclear why a 4X4 is needed to get anywhere within the city of Albuquerque. It is also one of the few Ford Expedition Timberline editions that have been put into police service.
Looks like these Hispanic types are just as corrupt as whitey
Wow! Talk about excessive!
Kudos to Louie Sanchez for having the courage to tell the truth about this travesty.
Waste, fraud & abuse! Are there no laws to prevent this at his level? Does our governor not have any authority over his office, is his position appointed or elected?
Where is our elected mayor? Both he and Ms. Governor should be held responsible for allowing this case of blatant WASTE, FRAUD & ABUSE!!
Mr. Police Chief you are an irresponsible, arrogant, corrupt individual who has no respect for those of us who pay your undeserved wages.
Shame on you, enjoy the ride I and my neighbors paid for,
Accidents happen.
Seems there should be a citywide ‘BOLO’ for this particular vehicle, don’t you think? Just saying.
Fabulous while the majority of the city is hungry and homeless.
Does the City of Albuquerque have an Accounting Department. If so, Does the Accounting Department have a Procurement Department. Most Procurement Departments require procedures to be followed before acquiring anything for any city Departments. One main rule Procurement Department requires ID to get at least 3 bids on any item that is purchased. Again Does Albuquerque have such Departments.
I imagine it’s a Gas hog, yet it won’t cost him for fuel, since it is Government supplied Free Ride. Should get those spinners for his wheels, maybe LED running lights underneath it, and a pair of dice for the rear view mirror. Low Rider!!
Unexcusable!!
Who played this!!
I love seeing all these losers hating on APD. Louie Sanchez is a nobody, he left apd because he couldn’t hang. All these New Mexicans have the same victim mentality that is why we are behind in everything….
I’m not a victim I’m a SURVIVOR.
He should be ashamed! He caused great bodily harm to a innocent citizen. Are we supposed to be happy for him? As if he’s in Beverly hills or Calabasas? It’s a slap in our face! I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THIS MEANS FASTER RESPONSES. RESPONSES PERIOD! They don’t even do that much work anymore. Can’t call them to PROTECT & SERVE! Help everyone understand exactly how he deserves this! It’s too over the top for Albuquerque bcuz they don’t want to work but some how this VERY EXPENSIVE car is going to make everything ok.. THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS FAULT EVEN!! I hope the person that got PERMANENTLY INJURED sues!! But the one at fault gets rewarded? Make it make sense!! They are the ones enabling the drug use on the streets by doing nothing! There’s not one reason why he’s so deserving of this! Are the streets clean bcuz of him, or is the homeless people clean and off the streets with the help they need?
The guy that ended up with a banged up classic mustang deserves it more!!
The spending on vehicles is ridiculous. Go to 12th and I40, where the federal building is. For months about 20 new suburban and trucks just sit there. They never move. Someone needs to look into this spending. He does not need that. And really it is a slap in our faces.
Looks like CRIME DOES PAY!! The Red River Chief Is Stylin and Profilin… The Burque Is A Corrupt Pile of Cockroach Crap
Children in APS don’t have Air conditioning in their classroom but the chief needs a 90K 4 wheel drive. I know where the city’s priorities are !!!!
“…meet and great” ???
Perhaps it’s “meet and greet?”
Wow! The Police Chief, mayor and all of City hall needs to GTFO. Unbelievable mismanagement of our tax dollars for sure. Definitely a slap in the face to us taxpayers. Meanwhile, our taxes and utilities continue to rise and criminals are simply let go with a slap on the wrist.
Those vehicles start pretty pricey, and with all the upgrades and enhancements to make it a police vehicle can easily push it up to the 90k price. The vehicle is assigned to his position (allegedly), not him personally. Yes, it seems excessive, particularly since he wrecked his last vehicle under questionable circumstances. However, having the chief of police driving around in something like a Chevy bolt seems wrong, too.
Please sign this petition to remove Harold Medina from his chief position: https://chng.it/z52zvsnrj5
Medina is a disgrace not only to himself but to APD-now I understand why last year when I called 911 to report a rape taking place and reporting it to 911 I waited over 3 hrs for APD with no response Medina and those below him should be fired and sued and never be allowed in law enforcement