APD Creates New University Area Command

Feb. 14, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – In a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Tim Keller and Chief Harold Medina announced the creation of a new University Area Command. The area command was created by dividing up the existing Southeast Area Command in two, expanding resources in the southeast.

In early March, the University Area Command will be fully operational and open to the public to file reports. The command will be staffed with 30 officers, six Sergeants, two Lieutenants and one Deputy Commander.

The University Area Command’s jurisdiction will include the Nob Hill and University areas, along with Ridgecrest and Mesa Del Sol. Officers will patrol approximately 30 square miles from San Mateo west, to I-25 and I-40 South, to the city limits.

“We are investing in public safety and expanding APD resources in the busiest sector of the city,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Our Southeast is vastly diverse, from the International District, to Nob Hill and UNM, and building out the University Area Command will help serve this diverse part of town.”

The 30 officers working out of the University Area Command will include officers on APD’s collateral Open Space Unit. Officers that were part of the full-time unit, are still working those duties on a collateral basis and will have easy access to the Bosque and other open spaces throughout Albuquerque.

“We continue to be innovative as the future of policing is ever-changing,” said Chief Harold Medina. “From adding more professional staff, and now expanding our resources in underserved areas of the city, we are making great strides in responding to calls quicker, and being more accessible to the public.”

The University Area Command is located at 1900 Bradbury Drive S.E. The building is owned by the University of New Mexico, and UNM has allowed APD to use the space free of charge for the pilot program. The City is grateful for UNM's support of this program. 

The pilot program will last a full year. After a year, the department will assess to determine if the new area command should become a permanent fixture in Albuquerque.