OPINION: From an Albuquerque Resident and Community Member

Let’s give Interim Chief of Police Cecily Barker a chance.

Cecily Barker: Experience, Accountability, and Leadership Rooted in Albuquerque

Cecily Barker—also known by her maiden name, Cecily Bludworth—is not new to Albuquerque, its challenges, or its police department. She is a lifelong resident whose upbringing, education, athletic background, and more than two decades of service with the Albuquerque Police Department reflect a career built through experience rather than optics.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Barker is the oldest of five children and grew up in the Taylor Ranch area. She attended Marie Hughes Elementary School, Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School, and both Valley High School and Cibola High School. Those early years gave her firsthand knowledge of Albuquerque’s neighborhoods, schools, and communities—an understanding shaped by living here, not just observing from the outside.

In high school, Barker ran cross country, and played softball. Her discipline and work ethic earned her the opportunity to play Division I college softball at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Georgia. After completing college out of state, she made the deliberate decision to return home, bringing her experience and leadership back to the city that raised her.

Barker joined the Albuquerque Police Department in 2004. During the police academy, she distinguished herself by earning records for strength, and speed that remain on the police academy books even today. After graduation, she served in the Field Services Bureau from 2004 to 2012 while also holding collateral assignments as a Gang Suppression Officer, Crisis Intervention Officer, and a Field Training Officer.

Cecily was promoted to Sergeant in 2012, serving in both Field Services and then the Violent Crimes Division as FASTT, Missing Persons, and Cold Case Sergeant. In 2017, she was promoted to Lieutenant, serving in the Juvenile and Property Crimes Division and the Criminalistics Division. In 2020, Barker was promoted to Commander, serving as the Northwest Area Commander before later becoming Chief of Staff.

In 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Investigative Bureau, overseeing the Criminal Investigations Division, Investigative Services Division, and the Scientific Evidence Division. In October 2023, she assumed leadership of the coveted Field Services Bureau, overseeing all six of APD’s Area Commands—placing her directly in charge of day-to-day policing operations across the city.

Barker holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Administration, and is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI IX) and the Police Executive Training Program. She has also worked extensively in cases involving crimes against children, an assignment that demands patience, restraint, and accountability.

Barker comes from a family known for work ethic rather than privilege. Her parents did not attend college but raised their children to value discipline, integrity, and earning their place. Each of the Bludworth siblings has gone on to build a respected career, ranging from healthcare and education to public service, reflecting a family culture rooted in hard work, not shortcuts.

That distinction matters, especially as public discussion continues. Barker’s brother is also an APD officer, yet his career has drawn media attention for very different reasons. The contrast underscores an important point: Cecily Barker’s career stands on its own. Her advancement has come through promotions, leadership roles, and institutional trust—not favoritism or family association. Each officer’s record speaks for itself.

Before becoming a mother, Barker also coached softball at St. Pius X High School. Outside of work, she prioritizes physical fitness and spends time with her family, including frequent trips to Disney.

In a department and city under constant scrutiny, Cecily Barker’s career is notable for its consistency. Whether serving in the interim or beyond, her record reflects experience, accountability, and deep roots in Albuquerque.

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This opinion was written by a community member who wished to remain anonymous.