The Duke City just made history by shattering the glass ceiling as City Councilors confirmed Cecily Barker as the city’s first female police chief and approved a public safety overhaul that created a new public safety director role and filled it with former FBI official Raul Bujanda.
On Monday, the City Council unanimously approved Barker as chief of the Albuquerque Police Department following her time as interim chief and unanimously confirmed Bujanda as the city’s newly created executive director of public safety. He will oversee Barker, Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo and Jodie Esquibel of the Albuquerque Community Safety Department, along with the Office of Police Reform, in an effort to align police, fire and community safety under a single coordinated system.
Barker is a 22-year veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department who rose from patrol officer to chief. According to Mayor Tim Keller’s appointment memo, she is respected for a data-driven approach that helped push the city’s homicide clearance rate above 90% year to date. In a press release, Barker said she is honored to continue serving Albuquerque and plans to support officers while pushing for the progress the community expects.
Bujanda also brings 22 years of experience with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, most recently serving as special agent in charge of the Albuquerque Field Office.
He said he will focus on oversight, transparency and collaboration with law enforcement partners. According to the mayor’s appointment memo, Bujanda also used Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) cases during his career to target senior members of the Sinaloa Cartel, including Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. He said he will focus on oversight, transparency and collaboration with law enforcement partners.
Barker’s appointment drew applause from city leaders, police leadership and residents, but Bujanda’s confirmation drew criticism from some who questioned placing a male executive over the city’s female public safety leaders and on Bujanda’s $187,000 salary. During public comment, Grace Dukes called the position “wasteful spending” and said Keller hired a man to “babysit three women.” Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel said the job does not add new costs and instead repurposes a vacant deputy CAO position to provide oversight and accountability.
City Councilor Dan Lewis said he supports Bujanda’s confirmation but wants to see clear results within six months, including measurable progress on crime reduction.
Both appointments take effect immediately.