Police Chief in Albuquerque Quits Amid Evidence Scandal

The police chief resigned abruptly Wednesday amid a scandal involving his department’s alleged mishandling of evidence.

Chief Gilbert Gallegos had been under increasing fire over possible long-standing problems in the department’s evidence room.

Last year, an anonymous e-mail was sent to law enforcement officials claiming that weapons, drugs and jewelry were missing from the room. That e-mail helped prompt an attorney general’s investigation, launched at Gallegos’ request.

Gallegos said he would offer any information he might have to investigators. Sam Thompson, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, said Gallegos’ resignation would have no effect on the investigation.

“This was the chief’s decision. I think he made the right decision,” Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez said.

Gallegos’ resignation letter did not give a precise reason for his departure, saying only that he did “not want to hinder the future success of this department.”

Chavez said he hoped to replace Gallegos, who took over as chief in December 2001, by the end of the week.

Recently, a former Albuquerque police lieutenant said he and his officers brought allegations of theft in the department’s evidence room to Gallegos, but that the chief waited two months to begin an internal criminal investigation and seven months to call in the attorney general.