Albuquerque Community Safety Kicks Off 2nd Responder Academy of 2025

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) has launched its second Responder Academy of 2025, continuing to strengthen its training pipeline for Responders addressing complex challenges such as mental health crises, homelessness, and substance use. Eleven new recruits in ACS Academy Class 2025-02 have begun the rigorous program, which will equip them with the tools to deliver trauma-informed, holistic support to the community.

This second cohort builds on the curriculum from earlier academies, emphasizing behavioral health, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention to ensure Responders are fully prepared for the realities of the field. This academy also includes several enhanced modules, such as:

• An 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course provided by the ACS Training Team
• A 3-hour Deaf cultural sensitivity training hosted by the Deaf Culture Center of New Mexico
• A two-day defensive driving course, including both classroom and hands-on instruction
• Alzheimer’s First Responder Training provided by the Alzheimer’s Association

The department continues to expand its signature 80-hour WE CARE training—which uses professional actors to simulate real-life crisis scenarios Responders may encounter in the field.

Class 2025-02 includes: six Behavioral Health Responders, four Community Responders, and one Street Outreach Responder.

“Every day, our Community Safety Responders step into challenging situations with empathy and professionalism,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This academy ensures they’re equipped with the right tools and training to support residents in crisis and help keep our neighborhoods safe.”

“This academy gives our Responders the hands-on experience and specialized training they need to feel confident and prepared in the field,” said ACS Training Administrator Lynn Reed, who is leading her tenth ACS Academy. “It’s an opportunity for them to build critical skills, connect with each other, and grow into the vital role they play in supporting our community.”

Following the 12-week academy, Responders go on to complete 120-hours of on-the-job training. The addition of these new Responders increases ACS’s capacity to handle more calls for service through 911 and 311.

Since its inception, ACS has received over 108,000 calls, offering a compassionate alternative to traditional public safety responses for non-emergency situations. The members of Class 2025-02 not only strengthen ACS’s commitment to exceptional care and community support but also represent another important step forward in its mission to enhance public safety for all Albuquerque residents.

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Albuquerque Community Safety 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.