ALBUQUERQUE (CN) - Albuquerque refuses to release "lapel camera videos" of two arrests because to do so would be "a source of embarrassment" to police, a TV reporter claims in court.
KRQE News 13 reporter Kim Holland sued Albuquerque and its Deputy Police Chief Allen Banks, in Bernalillo County Court.
Holland claims the city reneged on its promises to release the videos of the busts made on May 30 and 31, claiming that they have become evidence in an investigation.
Holland says in her complaint that a police spokesman told her "that her request for the lapel videos sparked an internal affairs investigation into the conduct of the officers during one of the arrests".
But Holland claims: "It is likely that the information being sought is a source of embarrassment to the Albuquerque Police Department since an official with the City Attorney's office is now stating that an unnamed entity is considering criminal charges against the officers that did the (T)asing."
After long delay - far beyond the statutory 15-day deadline - "The city is claiming the tapes are exempt from production at the present time pursuant to the ongoing criminal investigation exemption," the complaint states.
Holland says that's not sufficient, that exemptions to the state's Inspection of Public Records are limited to protecting "confidential sources, methods, information or individuals accused but not yet charged with a crime."
Holland and KQRE News 13 want to see the videos.
They are represented by Martin Esquivel.
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