Bernalillo County sheriff speaks to board with hopes of more technology, personnel

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office ( BCSO ) is preparing for significant changes in its operations as there’s a possibility of new technology integrations and personnel expansions in the future.

During a recent meeting Friday with the Sheriff’s Office Advisory and Review Board, Sheriff John Allen discussed these updates and how they will impact the department and its services to the community.

Sheriff Allen emphasized the importance of balancing new technology with human oversight. He noted that while advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are promising, the technology will not replace deputies in the field.

“The technology is there to supplement law enforcement, not take the place of a human being and that’s what we are doing, and I think that will be a force multiplier.”

The sheriff reiterated that the department is researching new technology to use in their day-to-day work including new body cameras and AI integration.

The sheriff reassured the board that AI would play a supportive role, particularly in tasks like report writing but accountability remains a priority. Deputies will continue to review and approve AI-generated reports to ensure accuracy. This technology will assist in gathering information, but Allen emphasized that AI cannot be fully trusted to handle complex cases, such as homicides. The sheriff mentioned, that with the AI being able to note time, place, date, and names and even begin the process of writing the report, a deputy would have to finish the work.

On the personnel side, Sheriff Allen discussed the department’s efforts to bolster its staffing.

BCSO currently has 108 deputies in the field, according to Sheriff Allen, and hopes to increase that number to 110 or more soon. Allen believes that adding more deputies will help improve response times, which he aims to reduce by at least a minute and a half through both additional personnel and technology enhancements.

Sheriff Allen also highlighted plans to bring in behavioral health specialists to the department. These specialists would be instrumental in addressing situations involving mental health crises, such as red flag alerts and potential suicides, ensuring that deputies have the necessary support to handle these sensitive cases.

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