Department History
Our Story: The Right Response at the Right Time
The Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) started with a simple yet powerful idea:
What if every call for behavioral health support brought care, not criminalization?
Reimagining Public Safety (2020)
In the Summer of 2020, something shifted.
Amid growing calls for change, Albuquerque took a bold step toward rethinking how our community addresses public safety. Recognizing the need for specialized care in responding to behavioral health and quality-of-life calls, the city created ACS—the first independent, cabinet-level alternative first response department in the nation.
From day one, ACS has worked to transform public safety by providing innovative, community-first solutions that prioritize care, connection, and support over enforcement.
Listening to the Community (2020–2021)
We knew we couldn’t build this alone.
Through extensive community engagement, including surveys with over 2,800 responses and virtual events attended by more than 400 individuals, we gathered invaluable insights. These efforts are captured in our comprehensive Community Engagement Report. Residents emphasized the importance of hiring qualified responders, proper training, and strong partnerships. Concerns about responder safety were voiced, yet the overwhelming sentiment supported ACS’s development. This feedback was instrumental in shaping our strategic planning.
From Planning to Action (2021)
Transforming a vision into reality.
Guided by community input, we developed a comprehensive Organizational Plan outlining ACS’s initial structure, goals, and implementation strategies. This plan served as a roadmap for our early phases, helping us launch with purpose and direction. Since then, ACS has grown and evolved, adapting to the needs of our community and expanding beyond the framework of the original plan.
In September 2021, we diverted our first 9-1-1 call—marking the beginning of a new chapter for Albuquerque.
Milestones That Matter
Since then, we’ve been hard at work:
- Responding to over 16,000 calls in our first year alone.
- Expanding to 24/7 operations in 2023.
- Opening our headquarters as a hub for care and coordination.
- Diverting 7% of APD’s call volume, allowing police to focus on crime while ACS handles care.
A Look Ahead
We’re just getting started.
Today, ACS stands as a national model for alternative first response, but we’re always growing. From expanding services to deepening community partnerships, we remain committed to ensuring every call for help gets the right response.
Make It Personal
Do you have a story about ACS?
Whether we’ve helped you or inspired you, we’d love to hear from you.