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APD Names Promotions to Deputy Chief Leadership Positions

Chief Harold Medina announced two new deputy chiefs who are joining APD’s leadership team. Additionally, Deputy Chief Eric Garcia will now be using his experience to oversee different units within the department.

June 30, 2021

Chief Harold Medina announced two new deputy chiefs who are joining APD’s leadership team. Additionally, Deputy Chief Eric Garcia will now be using his experience to oversee different units within the department.

Joshua Brown, a Commander for the Valley Area Command will be promoted to Deputy Chief over the Field Services Bureau. Deputy Chief Donovan Olvera will be re-retiring from his current role.

Cori Lowe, Commander over APD’s Compliance and Oversight Division will be promoted to Deputy Chief of Compliance, creating a new deputy Chief position. Lowe is the first woman to hold a Deputy Chief position at the department in over a decade.  Rich Evans will step in as Acting Commander of Internal Affairs Force Division while the position is opened for applications.

APD Deputy Chief Eric Garcia will retain his title of 2nd Deputy Chief and will additionally take on responsibilities of the Deputy Superintendent of Reform. DC Garcia will oversee the Internal Affairs Division, both Professional Standards and the Force Division. Additionally, he will continue to be in charge of crisis intervention, peer support, and behavioral sciences.

“Deputy Chief Garcia has been involved in the reform process at APD since the DOJ first came to Albuquerque,” said Chief Harold Medina. “With his knowledge and expertise, overseeing both Internal Affairs Divisions will prove fruitful for the department.”

“As we move forward with the reform process, it is important we have a deputy chief overseeing compliance, ensuring the department remains on track,” said Chief Harold Medina. “Deputy Chief Lowe has been a tremendous asset overseeing the Compliance and Oversight Division which is why we believe she will be successful in this role.”

“Our Field Services Division is comprised of the men and woman of APD out on the streets patrolling our community, and keeping our residents safe,” said Chief Harold Medina. “Deputy Chief Brown has proven to be a strong commander overseeing his area command and will be a great asset overseeing the brave men and women of APD.”

“Deputy Chief Donovan Olvera stepped up at a pivotal time to help the department when he was much needed,” said Chief Harold Medina. “Donovan will now be able to return to his efforts working outside law enforcement, and he will be greatly missed.”

 Deputy Chief Josh Brown

Deputy Chief Josh Brown has been with the Albuquerque Police Department for more than 20 years. He graduated from APD’s 82nd Cadet Class in 2000. During his career he has served in the Field Services Bureau, the K9 Unit, and with the SWAT Team. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2014 where he supervised the Albuquerque Police Department Auto Theft Unit. In 2018 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he oversaw Albuquerque Police Department Property Crimes Section. Deputy Chief Brown has been serving as the Commander of the Valley Area Command.

DC Brown is a native New Mexican. He attended the University of New Mexico where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminology.

Deputy Chief Cori Lowe

Deputy Chief Cori Lowe joined the Albuquerque Police Department in 2005 as an officer with the Field Services Bureau. This year marks Lowe’s 16th year with APD. From Field Services she spent several years in Violent Crimes as a robbery detective then became Sergeant with Armed Robbery.  Lowe also spent time as a Lieutenant with the Narcotics Task Force.  In December 2017, Deputy Chief Lowe was the Lieutenant with Compliance, then promoted to Commander. She has been on temporary duty with the Internal Affairs Force Division since February.

Deputy Chief Eric Garcia

Deputy Chief Eric Garcia has been with the Albuquerque Police Department since June of 1990. He was a patrol officer from 1990-1993 then moved to the Domestic Abuse Response Team. From 1995-1998, Garcia was with the Gang Unit and was then promoted to Sergeant.

In 2004, Garcia was promoted to Lieutenant working with the Field Services Bureau in what are now the Northwest and Southwest Area Commands. DC Garcia worked in Operations Review for some time then was promoted to Commander in 2007 over Property Crimes, Metro Traffic Division and the Special Investigations Division.

In 2013, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Investigative Bureau, now known as the Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau.