Mayor Richard J. Berry and Police Chief Raymond Schultz opened a new law enforcement leadership academy Wednesday June 6, 2012 naming it after the first person in the history of the Albuquerque Police Department to be appointed Chief of Police twice.
Albuquerque— the leadership academy, located at 5412 Second St NW behind APD’s Police Academy, is named after Bob V. Stover, who was City’s Chief of Police from 1973 to 1980 and from 1990 to 1994. Stover was also elected Bernalillo County Sheriff twice and was the city’s Chief Administrative Officer in the 1980s.
“When you think of great leaders this community has had over the past century, Bob Stover’s name is one of the first that comes to mind,” Mayor Berry said. “It’s only appropriate that a building dedicated to creating future leaders be named after one who set the standard.”
The leadership academy is a 1,700 square foot facility that houses a classroom capable of seating 25 students, a student lounge, a teacher’s prep room, a small kitchen, restrooms and the latest technology in learning. The facility will be equipped with smart boards, laptops at every desk and the ability to host web casting classes. The facility will be utilized by the International Association of Chief’s of Police to conduct classes for command level law enforcement. All agencies in the state will be welcomed to utilize the facility. APD also plans to use the facility to host advanced civilian training classes.
The facility cost about $75,000. APD used two existing portables that had been occupied by the department’s Sixth Area Command prior to the opening of its permanent substation in April 2011.
“This facility is great addition to the department,” Chief Schultz said. “Future Chiefs, Sheriff’s and Directors will be coming through these doors learning how to be effective leaders in today’s ever changing world. It’s only appropriate that it bears the name of man who held leadership positions in nearly every level of government.”
Chief Stover began his career with the Albuquerque Police Department in 1958 and graduated from the 10th Cadet Class. In 1973 he was appointed to Chief of Police. He retired in 1980 and was elected twice as Bernalillo County’s Sheriff. In 1984, Chief Stover left law enforcement and was appointed the City’s Chief Administrative Officer by Mayor Harry Kinney. Six years later, Stover returned to APD and was appointed once again to serve as the City’s Chief of Police where he remained until his second retirement in 1994.
Chief Stover is best known for his candor, being a cop’s cop and being able to make difficult decisions under fire. While Chief of Police, he started APD’s Internal Affairs Unit, the bicycle patrol, the school resource officer program, the K-9 unit, the take home car program and he helped create Crime Stoppers, which would become a national organization that assists law enforcement in capturing fugitives.
