Albuquerque Community Safety Kicks Off 2nd Responder Academy of 2026

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department officially launched its second responder academy of 2026, continuing its commitment to strengthening Albuquerque’s innovative, community-centered approach to public safety.

ACS Academy Class 2026-02 brings together 10 new trainees who will complete seven weeks of intensive academy instruction, on-the-job field training, preparing them to respond to behavioral health crises, substance use concerns, homelessness, suicidal ideation and other non-violent emergencies with compassion and professionalism.

Building on the success of previous academies, this class will receive hands-on training in behavioral health response, trauma-informed care, de-escalation strategies, crisis communication, and resource navigation. The academy reflects ACS’s continued mission to provide safe, effective alternatives to traditional law enforcement when situations call for a public health response.

Training will continue to include key instruction such as the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course provided by the ACS Training Team, a two-day driving course with classroom and practical instruction, and. Recruits will also participate in ACS’s signature 40-hour WE CARE training, which uses live actors to simulate real-world scenarios responders face in the field.

The 2026-02 class is made up of:

• 5 Community Responders
• 1 Street Outreach Responder
• 1 Behavioral Health Responder Supervisor
• 2 Behavioral Health Responder Tier I
• 1 Behavioral Health Responder Tier II

“Our ACS responders are changing the way Albuquerque approaches public safety,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Every academy class strengthens our ability to send the right response to people experiencing crisis, homelessness, or behavioral health challenges. This investment helps ensure our community receives compassionate care from highly trained professionals.”

“Every call our responders take is different because every person’s crisis is different,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “I am incredibly proud of the work our responders do every day stepping into complex, often difficult situations with professionalism, compassion, and a commitment to care. This academy prepares our newest team members to meet people where they are and provide the right support in the moments it matters most. This class will carry that standard forward and continue strengthening our service to the Albuquerque community.”

After completing the seven-week academy, each trainee will move into f on-the-job training alongside experienced responders, further developing the practical skills needed for field deployment. Once in service, this class will help ACS continue meeting the growing demand for non-emergency calls routed through 911 and 311, expanding the department’s reach and impact across Albuquerque.

Since its launch, ACS has handled more than 149,000 calls, offering a compassionate and effective alternative to traditional public safety responses. With Class 2026-02, the department continues advancing its mission to provide equitable, community-first support while improving safety and well-being for everyone in Albuquerque.

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About Albuquerque Community Safety
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.