Albuquerque police commander dismissed, 7th officer steps down in controversy with intoxicated driving department

The Albuquerque Police Department has taken action in response to a corruption investigation by firing former internal affairs unit commander Cmdr. Mark Landavazo, as confirmed by department spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos. Additionally, Officer Neill Elsman, who was part of the team under scrutiny, resigned after returning from military leave.

Efforts to contact Landavazo and Elsman for comment were unsuccessful, and it remains unclear if they have legal representation. Landavazo is the first officer to be terminated in connection with the investigation, while seven other officers have previously resigned in relation to the alleged case-fixing scandal. The focus of the probe is on officers suspected of receiving payments to dismiss impaired driving cases.

The FBI is conducting its own investigation into potential illegal activities, although no charges have been brought forth. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will determine if criminal charges will be filed against former officers suspected of violating federal laws. The police department initiated the investigation upon receiving reports of bribery within the unit to have DUI cases dismissed.

Information from documents sourced by the Albuquerque Journal indicates that the FBI began its investigation following a traffic stop in August 2023 where an officer purportedly advised the driver to contact a specific attorney to avoid having a case filed against them. The FBI inquiry has, in part, focused on DUI cases filed by certain officers that were later dismissed in court. Over 150 cases related to intoxicated driving have been dropped as a result of the federal investigation.

Police Chief Harold Medina expressed determination to uphold accountability in a statement, affirming their commitment to following the evidence to ensure all responsible parties are held answerable for their actions.