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Law enforcement agencies from across New Mexico filled the Kiva Auditorium this week to celebrate the promotion of multiple sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Police Department officers.

Among the 14 promotions was Cecily Barker, who was formally recognized for her appointment as APD chief, making her the first female police chief in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 history. She will lead a staff of 916 officers and 400 professional staff members while overseeing a $272 million budget.

鈥淚 have said before that I hope to be remembered as a fair and accountable chief 鈥� fair to our officers and professional staff and fair to our community,鈥� Barker said at the Wednesday ceremony. 鈥淎ccountability and transparency are not just expectations for our department. They have to be part of our culture.鈥�

Though Barker was named chief March 24 after serving as interim chief following Harold Medina鈥檚 retirement in late December, Wednesday鈥檚 promotion ceremony marked the first time she was formally honored for the historic appointment.

She officially assumed the role April 21.

Under her new contract, signed May 8, Barker will earn an annual salary of $225,000.

She will be paid roughly $70,000 more than sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Mayor Tim Keller and about $38,000 more than recently appointed Public Safety Executive Director Raul Bujanda, who oversees APD, sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Fire Rescue and sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Community Safety, along with their department heads.

Barker will also become the first police chief to serve under a city charter amendment passed in May 2024 and ratified by voters in November 2024.

The new charter amendment requires seven city councilors to agree to terminate the police or fire chiefs. The prior charter language allowed for the removal of the fire and police chiefs through a supermajority of six votes of the nine-member City Council, but only with cause.

鈥淔ormer Chief Medina did not serve under an employment contract because he was not appointed under the updated charter provisions,鈥� APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said. 鈥淐hief Barker鈥檚 appointment and employment terms are governed by the current charter requirements approved by voters.鈥�

Barker said that while she was proud to be the first woman to hold the position, she hoped her achievement would help break barriers for others to follow.

鈥淢y hope is that I won鈥檛 be the last and that one day, it鈥檚 no longer something that stands out,鈥� she told a crowd of law enforcement officers and their loved ones. 鈥淟eadership is about integrity, service, accountability and how we treat people. That is the standard I will continue striving for as your chief.鈥�

Barker said she hopes to reduce violent crime, strengthen community policing and ensure APD officers remain victim-centered in their work.

鈥淥ne thing has remained consistent throughout my career,鈥� she said. 鈥淧olicing is about people. It is about the people we serve, the victims who depend on us and the officers who do this work every single day.鈥�

Other promotions included:

Deputy chiefs: Michael Hernandez and Luke Languit

Major: Anthony Montano

Commanders: Sean Wallace and Richard Whitten

Deputy commanders: Troy Nicko, Amanda Christensen and Matthew McElroy

Lieutenants: Phillip Block, Sonny Molina and Francisco Hernandez

Sergeants: Douglas Hoffman and Raymond Casias

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.