OPINION: Lets Just Make Cecily Barker the Permanent Chief Already

Recently, I was beyond thrilled when Mayor Keller announced Cecily Barker would be the interim Chief. Normally, I typically groan at everything Keller does (or doesn’t do) because it just contributes to the three ring circus that our city has already become. Cecily is the best choice for the permanent Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department. She attended our local (APD) academy, and she worked our streets.

Most importantly she has already seen all that works and doesn’t work because of her many years as an Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Commander, and most recently a Deputy Chief. There is not a resume in this country that would beat the experience Cecily already has.

Mayor Keller should not waste too much time or taxpayer money on his search for a Chief because she is currently sitting in the Chief’s office and she is already doing great! The fact that she is a woman is just icing on the police cake to me. She is essentially the first ever female Chief and I fully, wholey, and enthusiastically support QUALIFIED women in leadership roles. 

Submitted by: Beth Paiz – Beth is a respected and beloved retired Deputy Chief of APD