Albuquerque Community Safety Department Marks Four Years of Impact and Innovation

ALBUQUERQUE – Mayor Tim Keller and ACS leadership celebrate 4 years of innovative success with the City’s third branch of public safety – the Albuquerque Community Safety Department.

Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid nationwide calls for alternative emergency responses, ACS was created to change how Albuquerque responds to crisis. Since launching in 2021, ACS has handled calls that don’t require police or fire such as behavioral health crises, substance use, homelessness, and other non-violent situations.

To date, ACS has responded to more than 120,000 calls for service, with over 85% diverted away from Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR). This allows police and firefighters to focus on emergencies, while ACS ensures people in crisis receive appropriate care.

“ACS has fundamentally reshaped public safety in Albuquerque,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “By sending the right responders to the right calls, we’ve eased pressure on police and fire while providing real help to people in crisis. ACS is now a national model, and it started right here in our community.”

Over four years, ACS has grown from a bold idea into a fully integrated part of the city’s public safety system. In year one, the department laid its foundation by launching operations, and hiring a new type of first responder: trauma-informed professionals with a background in social work, mental health, and community engagement.

Year two focused on expanding citywide operations and establishing a swing shift. In year three, ACS became a full 24/7 emergency response department that was dispatched by 911.

Now in year four, ACS is expanding its reach through the growth of existing ACS community focused programs like the School-Based Violence Intervention Program (SBVIP), in four high schools, and the CORA team, which conducts door-to-door outreach in neighborhoods affected by trauma.

Looking ahead, ACS is preparing for the opening of the Southwest Public Safety Center in fall of 2025. This first-of-its-kind facility will bring ACS, APD, and AFR under one roof to enhance collaboration and improve response citywide.

ACS continues to expand its services. In August 2025, it opened New Mexico’s first Trauma Recovery Center, providing therapy, peer support, and trauma-informed care for victims of violence. The Violence Intervention Program boasts a 91.8% success rate in preventing repeat offenses and supports youth through its school-based efforts.

“This work is about listening to the community and showing up with care,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “ACS was built in Albuquerque, for Albuquerque, and we’re proud to keep leading with heart and purpose.”

By working hand-in-hand with APD and AFR, ACS ensures that every call gets the right response, whether it’s a medical emergency, a law enforcement matter, or a situation that calls for compassion and support. Together, these three branches of public safety are building a safer, healthier Albuquerque and serving as a model for communities across the country.

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ACS is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.